F 199 
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ROOSE'S 



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to 1889, 



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AND John Gibson, 
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ROOSE'S 
Companion and Quid 



WASHINGTON 



VICINITY 



Carefully revised and corrected to iJ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year i889, by W. S. Roose and John Gibson, 
(n the office of the librarian of congress, at washington, d. c. 



Gibson Brothers, Printers. 
1889. 



PUBLISHERS' PREFACE 



It is hoped this little book will prove a pleas lut as well as 
useful Guide to the visitor to the Federal City. 

Its purpose is to introduce at a glance objects of interest to 
the attention, and then narrate facts connected with them ; in 
other words, to answer the questions which would naturally 
arise in an appreciative mind relative to what is presented to 
the view. 

The compiler of the manual has the reputation of being 
well acquainted with the subjects treated of ; and we shall be 
disappointed if the work does not fully equal what could rea- 
sonably be expected. 



OPINIONS OF THE WASHINGTON PRESS. 



A compact, well made up, and neatly printed little volume ; just the thing for 
visitors at the Capital. — The Evening Star. 

It is well gotten up, and every traveller should buy a copy. It is hand- 
somely bound, and remarkably accurate. We bespeak for it a large sale. — 
'J he Gazette. 

We have rcceivedacopy of Roosc's Companion and Guide to Washington and 
Vicinity — a neat little well-bound book that can be conveniently carried in the 
pocket, and which contains a plain and handsome chart of the city and graphic 
pictorial and narrative descriptions of every place and object of interest in the 
District.— 7//^ Daiiy Critic. 

" Roose's Companion and Guide to Washington and Vicinity" is an illus- 
trated work of 144 pages, introducing at a glance objects of interest to the atten- 
tion, and narrating facts connected with them. The comiilers of the manual 
were evidently well acquainted with the subjects treated. The work is complete 






¥ 



in itself, and one of the best guides to the National Capital ever issued. Every 
stranger should have one. — Washing-ton Chronicle. 

One of the most exquisite Companion and Guide Books of Washington and 
Vicinity ever printed has just been published by Mr. W. S. Roose, the well- 
known cigar and tobacco merchant, of this city. In this excellent production 
Mr. Roose has exhibited fhat thoroughness and care which has characterized 
him in all his enterprises in this city. The thousands of visitors who are coming 
to the Capital of the nation from all sections of the country will find this 
book of incalculable value as a guide and companion in their tours of inspection. 
Everything of interest in the city and vicinity can be found in its ample pages. 
It introduces at a glance all objects of interest to the attention, and then narrates 
facts connected with them ; in other words, it answers all questions which would 
naturally arise in an appreciative mind relative to what is presented to the view. 
It gives a history of the District of Columbia, and a correct and comprehensive 
plan of the city. It also gives a large number of elegant engravings illustrative 
of the most prominent buildings, statuary, and interesting historical features of 
the Federal Capital. Descriptions of everything of interest in the Capital are 
given in the minutest detail, as well as everything of importance in the various 
public buildings. Arlington, Mount Vernon, Soldiers' Home, and Rock Creek 
are all completely and with scrupulous accuracy set forth for the instruction and 
profit of visitors. The compiler of the manual has the reputation of being well 
acquainted with the subjects treated of, and the work is destined to meet with 
the favor and appreciation of all who may visit our magnificent city. — National 
Republican. 

The various guide-books hitherto published descriptive of the numerous 
places and scenes of interest at the Capital of the United States have been 
either too cumbrous or lamentably incomplete. The want of one which should 
be at the same time comprehensive and portable has been greatly felt. * * * 
Such a want has been supplied by our enterprising fellow-townsman, Mr. W. S. 
Roose, who in a neat form has published a small volume, which, as the old 
saying has it, is as full of well-stated matter as " an egg is of meat." It com- 
mences with a brief history of the District, with a plan of the city, after which 
each place of interest is described in a concise and comprehensive manner, in- 
terspersed with numerous elegant engravings. In tact, an utter stranger in the 
city could, with the help of this valuable volume, find his way about, and see 
more in one day than oi.e without it could in a week. In addition to the de- 
scription of the public buildings and private institutions it also contains a com- 
plete record of all the hotels, churches, places of amusement, markets, railroads, 
horse-cars, schools ; contains, in fact, everything a stranger or the natives want 
to know. The compiler of the manual is one of our most popular and enter- 
prising merchants, who has the reputation of being thoroughly acquainted with 
the subjects presented, and who is, besides, a man of excellent business quali- 
fications. He comprehended just what was wanted by the people, and set 
himself to work to produce it, with what success can be readily seen by the 
large sales which have already been made by our newsdealers. Visitors have 
voted Mr. Roose a friend indeed, while the Guide is so desirable that no resi- 
dent of Washington but will find it useful, interesting, and suggestive. — The 
Sunday Herald. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

History of the District of Colum- 
bia 11-17 

Plan of the City 19 

Population from 1810, indecades, 
to 1888 20 

The Capitol : 

Situation 21 

Fronts of Capitol 21, 23 

Grounds 22 

Naval Monument 23 

Greenough's Washington 25 

Central East Portico 25 

Statue of the Discovery 26 

Statue of Civilization 29 

Tympanum of the Portico 29 

Statue of War 29 

Statue of Peace 29 

Rogers' Bronze Door 32-34 

The Rotunda 34-47 

Landing of Columbus 34 

Discovery of the Mississippi. 35 

Baptism of Pocahontas 35 

Embarcation of the Pilgrims. 36 
Declaration of Independence. 37 
The Surrender of Burgoyne... 37 

Surrender of Cornwallis 38, 39 

Resignation of Washington.... 40 

Relievos in the Rotunda 40, 41 

Ornamentation of the Belt of 

the Dome 41-44 

Brumidi's Picture 43 

The Whispering Gallery 44 

Statue of Freedom 47 

The Old Hall of Representa- 
tives 47 

Houdon's Statue of Washing- 
ton 48 

Bust of Koskiusco 48 



Page. 
The Capitol — Continued. 

Miss Ream's Statue of Lin- 
coln 48 

Mrs. Ames' Bust of Lincoln.; 49 

Bust of Crawford 49 

Statue of Alex. Hamilton 49 

Bronze Statue of Jefferson 49 

Portraits in Old Hall 49, 50 

Mosaic of Lincoln 49 

Joshua R. Giddings 50 

Charles Carroll of Carrollton. 50 

Gunning Bedford 50 

Portrait of Jefferson 50 

Portrait of Benjamin West 

(by himself) 50 

Gen. Washington^ by Stuart.. 50 
Statuary furnished by the 

States '—50-53 

Acoustic Wonders 53 

Electric Light 54 

Changes in South Extension 

of Capitol in 1879 54 

New Hall Representatives. ..55-57 

Vanderlyn's Washington 55 

Lafayette, by Ary Scheffer... 55 
Brumidi's Washington at 

Yorktown 55 

Bierstadt's Landing of Hud- 
son and Discovery of Cali- 
fornia 55 

Staircases 56 

Western Emigration 56 

Carpenter's Painting of Proc- 
lamation of Emancipation.. 56 

Chippewa Indian Chief. 56 

Thomas Jefferson, by Powers 56 

Attic story, House Library... 56 

Ground Floor 56 



Fag:e. 
The Capitol — Continued. 

Room of the Committee of 

Agriculture 57 

Heating and Ventilating Ap- 
paratus of the House 57 

The Crypt 57 

The Tomb of Washington.... 57 

Court of Claims 57 

Library of Congress 57 

Law Library 58 

Supreme Court-Room 58 

Portrait Chief-Justice Mar- 
shall 59 

Portrait Chief-Justice Jay 59 

Portrait Taney 59 

Senate Chamber 59 

President's Room 59 

Marble Room 60 

Vice-President's Room 60 

Ladies' Reception-room 60 

Sergeant-at- Arms Room 60 

Senate Post-Office 60 

Crawford Bronze Door 61 

Senate Extension Portico 61 

Statuary over Portico of Sen- 
ate Extension 61 

Room of the Official Report- 
ers of the Senate 62 

Statue of Franklin 62 

Powell's Victory of Lake Erie 62 

Canon Yellowstone 62 

Canon Colorado 62 

II Penserosa 62 

Gen. Scott on horseback 62 

Henry Clay 63 

Illuminating loft of the Senate 63 

Storming of Chapultepec 63 

Statue of Hancock, by Stone. 63 
Ground Floor of the Senate 

Extension 64 

Room of Committee on Naval 

Aflfairs 64 

Room of Committee on Mili- 
tary Affairs 64 

Heating and Ventilating Ap- 
paratus of the Senate 64 

The Capitol Police 64 

Guides 65 

History of the Pjuilding of 
the Capitol 65, 66 



Page, 

The Capitol — Continued. 

The Botanical Garden 66 

The Conservatories 66 

The Bartholdi Fountain 67 

Reservations 67-70 

1. The President's Grounds 67 

2. The Capitol Grounds 67 

3. The Park or Monument, 

Government Nurseries 67 
Building for Bureau of 

Engraving and Printing 67 

4. University Square 68 

5. Arsenal Grounds 68 

6. West Market St. Square.. 68 

7. Centre Market st. Square 68 

8. National Church Square.. 68 

9. Judiciary Square 68 

10, II, 12. Reservations sold 68 

13. Hospital Square ." 68 

14. Navy Yard 70 

15. 16. Eastern Market Sqrs. 70 
17. Townhouse Square 70 

Squaies, etc 70-74 

Lying ivest of the Capitol. 

McPherson Square 70 

Farragut Square 70 

Scott Place 71 

Statue (equestrian) of Scott... 71 

Franklin Square 71 

Rawlins Square and Statue... 71 

Mount Vernon Place 71 

Fourteenth-st. Circle 71 

Iowa Circle 71 

Washington Circle 73 

Equestrian Statue of Wash- 
ington 73 

Dupont Circle 73 

Stanton Place 73 

Equestrian Statue of Gen. 

Greene 73 

Lincoln Square 74 

Group of Emancipation 74 

The Avenues 74-77 

Table showing course and 

width of avenues 77 

Time of opening and closing 

Public Buildings 77, 78 

President's House 80, 82 

Exterior 80 

First Floor 80 



VI 



Page. 



President's House — Contimied. 

Vestibule 

East-Room 

Portrait of Lady Washington 

Green-Room 

Blue- Room 

Red-Room 

State Dining-Room 

Private Dining-Room 

Second Floor 

Cabinet-Room 

Basement, etc 

History 

Stables and Conservatory 

Lafayette Square 

Mills' Statue of Jackson 

State Department 82, 

Exterior 

Reception-room 

Ante-room for Diplomatic 
Corps 

Sec. of State's Room 

Assist. See's Room 

ChiefClerk's " 

Portraits of Secretaries of 
State 

Portrait of Bey of Tunis 

Original Dec. of Independ- 
ence 

Library 

Treasury Department 85, 

Exterior 

Cash Room 

Vaults 

Photograph Office 

Coast Survey 

History 

War Department 

Secretary's Office 

General of the Army 

Signal Office 

Quartermaster General's Of- 
fice ; 

Surgeon-General's Office 

Army Medical Museum 

Chief Engineer of the Army... 

Judge-Advocate-Gen's Office 

Ordnance Office 

Winder's Building 

Second Auditorof the Treas... 



Page. 

The Washington Barracks 88 

Soldiers' Home 88 

Establishment 90 

Main Building 90 

New Hospital 90 

Scott's Pedestrian Statue 90 

National Military Cemetery... 90 

The Garfield Statue 91, 92 

Navy Department 93, 95 

Secretary's Office 93 

Hydrographic Office 93 

Admiral's " 93 

Nautical Almanac Office 93 

Divisions into Bureaus 93 

National Observatory 93 

The " Great Equatorial " 94 

Naval Hospital 94 

Navy Yard 94 

The Museum 94 

Vessels built 94 

Marine Barracks 95 

Marine Corps 95 

Post-Office Department 95 

Exterior 95 

Postmaster-General's Office... 95 

Dead-Letter Office 97 

City Post-Office 97 

History 97 

Department of the Interior 98 

Patent Office 98 

Exterior 98 

History 98 

Fire of 1877 98 

Interior 98 

Models 98 

Washington Relics 98 

Office Secy, of the Interior... 98 

Bureau of Education loi 

Survey of Territories loi 

Pension Bureau loi 

Government Hospital for the 

Insane loi 

Columbia Institution for the 

Deaf. 102 

Columbia Hospital for Women 
and Lying-in Asylum 102 

Department of Justice 102 

Historj^ 102 

Gallery of Portraits of U. S. 
Attorneys-General 102 



Vll 



Page. 
Dept. of Justice — Continued. 

City-Hall 105 

History 105 

Statue of Lincoln, by Flan- 

nery 105 

Police Court 105 

Police Headquarters 105 

Reform School 105 

Department of Agriculture 105 

Exterior 105 

Plant-Houses 108 

History 108 

Agricultural Museum 108 

Government Printing Office 108 

Washington Asylum 108 

District Jail 109 

Congressional Cemetery 109 

Smithsonian Institution 109 

Exterior 109 

Grounds 109 

Downing Vase 109 

Smithson History 109, no 

National Museum.... no 

" Annex-Building " no 

Work of Institution no 

Library Rem.oved no 

Washington Monument in, 113 

Lapidarium 113 

Action of Congress in Centen- 
nial Year 113 

Corcoran Gallery of Art n3 

Exterior 113 

History 113 

Masonic Temple 114 

Odd-Fellows' Hall n4 

Providence Hospital 114 

Armory 115 

History 115 

Gonzaga College 115 

Columbian University 115 

History 115 

National Medical College 115 

Law Department 115 

Howard University 116 

Freedman's Asylum 116 

Wayland Seminary 116 

Benevolent Institutions 116-119 

National Soldiers' and Sail- 



ors' Orphans' Home. 
Louise Home 



Page. 
Benevolent Inst's — Continued. 
WashingtonCity Orphan Asy- 
lum 118 

Children's Hospital 118 

St. John's Hospital for Child- 
ren 118 

St. Ann's Infant Asylum 118 

St. Joseph's Male Orphan 

Asylum 118 

St. Vincent's Female Orphan 

Asylum 118 

St. Rose's Orphan Home 118 

Visitation Academy 119 

Academy of the Holy Cross... 119 
The Epiphany Church Home 119 

The Home for the Aged 119 

Women's Christian Associa- 
tion 119 

Hotels 119 

Places of Amusement 120 

Principal Markets 120 

Railroads 120 

Horse-Car Routes 122 

Churches 123-129 

Public Schools... 129-131 

Public School Statistics 130 

Water-Works 131 

Cabin-John Bridge 131 

Stand-pipe 131 

Little Falls of the Potomac... 133 

Chain-Bridge 133 

Great Falls of the Potomac... 133 

Analostan Island 133 

Cemeteries 134 

Georgetown 135 

Georgetown Heights 135 

Oak Hill Cemetery 135 

Georgetown High-service 

Reservoir 135 

Convent of the Visitation 135 

Georgetown College 135 

New additional Building 136 

Linthicum Institute 136 

Peabody Library 136 

Home for Aged Women 136 

Alexandria 137 

Christ Church 137 

National Cemetery near Alex- 
andria 137 

Mount Vernon 137 



vm 



Page. 
Mount Vernon — Continued. 

Fort Foot 137 

Fort Washington 137 

Mount Vernon House 137 

" " Tomb 139 

Mount Vernon Ladies' Asso- 
ciation 139 

Arlington 141 

National Cemetery 141 

Unknown Tomb 141 



Page. 
Arlington — Continued. 

History 143 

Fort Myer 144 

Bladensburg , 144 

" Battle of. 144 

" Racers 144 

Duelling Ground 144 

Chalybeate Spring 144 

Proposed Monument to President 

Lincoln 144 



ILLUSTKATIONS. 



Page. 
Map of Washington City. 

The Capitol, 1827 9 

The Capitol— East Front 10 

Pennsylvania Avenue 18 

Botanical Garden 20 

The Capitol, West Front, as it was 

in 1874 24 

Naval Monument , 24 

The Discovery ; Civilization 27 

Greenough's Washington 27 

Justice; Genius of America; Hope..2{5 

War 30 

Peace 31 

Contemplated Monument to Lin- 
coln 45 

Franzoni's Clock 46 

Freedom 46 

McPherson.. 69 

Residence of British Minister 69 

Washington; Scott; Emancipation. 72 
Headquarters Richmond & Dan- . 

ville R.R. Co 76 

Executive Mansion — North Front. ..79 

" " South " ...79 

State, War, and Navy Departments. 83 

Treasury Department 84 

Ford's Theatre, where President 
Lincoln was assassinated 88 



Page. 

Soldiers' Home 88 

Garfield Statue 91 

Post-Office Department 96 

Insane Asylum 96 

Patent-Office 99 

National Deaf-Mute College 100 

Department of Justice,(Freedm.an's 

Bank Building) ...103 

Corcoran Gallery of Art 104 

Agricultural Department 104 

Smithsonian Institution 106 

National Museum 107 

The Washington Monument 112 

Louise Home 117 

Howard University 117 

Baltimore & Potomac R.R. Depot.121 

Lincoln Monument 132 

Statue of Lincoln, ( Vinnie Ream). ..132 

Cabin-John Bridge. 136 

Mount Vernon, the Home of Wash- 
ington 138 

Jackson 142 

Thomas 142 

Washington's Tomb at Mount 

Vernon 142 

Arlington House 143 



THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



"^TO American citizen should remain contentedly ignorant of 
-'-^ the history of the District of Columbia, and of the events 
which led to its selection for the permanent seat of the Federal 
Government. 

The Continental Congress opened its first session in Philadel- 
phia, Pa., Sept. 5, 1774, and the succeeding year it also met in 
that city. For several seasons the fortune of war caused its 
migration from place to place. In Dec. 20, 177G, it met in Bal- 
timore ; but again, March 4, 1777, it met in Philadelphia. In 
Sept. 27, 1777, it convened at Lancaster, Pa., and Sept. 30, 1777, 
at York, Pa. July 2, 1778, it returned to Philadelphia, where it 
continued to meet until 1783, when it was expelled by a mob, 
which the State authorities did not suppress. Congress then 
adjourned to Princeton, N. J., June 30, 1783. Nov. 2G, 1783, it 
met at Annapolis, Md.; and it was while in session here that 
Gen. Washington, Dec. 23, resigned his commission as general- 
in-chief of the army at the close of the revolutionary contest. 
Nov. 1, 1784, it met at Trenton, N. J., from which it adjourned 
to meet Jan. 11, 1785, in New York city. This last continued 
its place of meeting until the adoption of the Constitution of the 
United States, in 1788. 

It was in the city of New York the First Federal Congress 
•\ssembled — and the electoral votes were counted for the election 
^f the first President of the United States. Gen. Washington 
was inaugurated President on the balcony of Federal Hall, (the 
fAe of the present New York Custom-house,) April 30, 1789. 



12 

The question "where the permanent seat of government should 
be located" gave rise to anxious debates even in the Continental 
Congress ; and in the Convention which framed the Constitution 
the subject was waived because graver issues demanded the at- 
tention of that bodj^ and it was deemed hazardous to decide upon 
what necessarily involved great local irritation. 

The question, however, early engaged the attention of the First 
Federal Congress, Pennsylvania was anxious to have again 
within her territory the seat of power. New York was deter- 
mined to retain, if she could, the possession which she held. 
New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, each stretched 
out an eager hand, presenting a several plea, for the coveted 
prize. The New England States seem to have kept silent as re- 
garded their own claims, while the extreme Southern States, sup- 
ported by Maryland and Virginia, determined to have the capital 
brought further South than either New York or Philadelphia. 
The South Carolinians were particularly anxious Philadelphia 
should not be selected because of the Quakers, who " were con- 
tinually dogging Southern members with their schemes of eman- 
cipation." Not only were newspapers filled with the discussion 
of the question, but private journals and the correspondence of 
the period teem with the controversy. 

At length a bill passed the House, Sept. 22, 1789, ayes 31, noes 
17, locating the permanent capital "on the river Susquehanna, 
in the State of Pennsylvania." This location was bitterly op- 
posed by Mr. Madison, who led the Southern members, and who 
was supposed also to express the wishes of President Washing- 
ton. In the Senate the bill was amended : the " Delaware river " 
and the neighborhood of Philadelphia, "including German town," 
was substituted instead, and some other new provisions were in- 
flerted. On the return of the bill to the House it was again stren- 
aously opposed by Mr. Madison, who at last succeeded in hav- 



13 

iug an unimportant amendment introduced, hoping ttiat the 
delay consequent upon its consideration in the Senate would cause 
its being laid over to the next session of Congress. In this desire 
he was gratified. Instead of passing the bill the Senate ' ' post- 
poned " its consideration, and Congress adjourned the next day, 
Sept. 29, 1789. 

At the next session of Congress the vexed question was agaiii 
introduced. Partisanship ran high, and, in the opinion of many, 
upon its disposition seemed to hang the continued existence of 
the recently-formed Union. It was at this juncture that another 
question, involving the finances of the Republic, about which 
great diversity of opinion prevailed, and which also had enlisted 
warm and excited feeling, was made the basis of a compromise 
between the contending parties. 

Alexander Hamilton, of New York, Secretary of the Treasury, 
had recommended the assumption by the Federal Government 
of the State debts. This was opposed by Virginia and the 
Southern States. It was ascertained that it required the change 
of two votes to carry into effect the financial project. To accom- 
plish this, and also settle the question of the selection of a place 
for the permanent capital, the aid of Thomas Jefferson, then re- 
cently returned from France, and appointed Secretary of State, 
was invoked. 

The great democrat proposed that the subject should be talked 
over at a dinner, to which Hamilton was invited. It was there 
settled that if the votes of Lee and White, of Virginia, should 
be changed in favor of assumption, that Hamilton and Robert 
Morris, of Pennsylvania, would bring such an influence to l)€ar 
upon the question of the location of the capital as would insure 
its permanent estabhshment upon the banks of the Potomac. 

The bargain was faithfully kept. Hamilton's financial scheme 
was adopted, and on the 31st May, 1790, Pierce Butler, of South 



14 

Oaioliua, obtained permission of the Senate "to bring in a bill 
to determine the permanent seat of Government of the United 
States." 

The bill located a district of territory for tbis purpose not ex- 
ceeding ten miles square, "on the river Potomac, at some space 
between the mouths of the Eastern Branch and Conogocheague;' 
tlie capital to be removed thither in 1800, and until that time the 
temporary capital was to be established in Philadelphia. It passed 
the Senate July 1, 1780, ayes 14, noes 12. Four attempts were 
made in the House to change the site of the Federal District, but 
were voted down, and the Senate bill was finally agreed to, July 
9, 1790, by a vote of 32 ayes to 29 noes. It received the signa- 
ture of the President July 16, 1790. 

[Maryland, by an act passed Dec. 28, 1788, and Virginia, by an 
act of Dec. 3, 1789, had previously authorized the cession of such 
portions of their territory as might be selected by Federal author- 
ity for the seat of the General Government.] 

An amendatory act, which passed Congress March 3, 1791, re- 
pealed so much of the act of July 16, 1790, as required the whole 
District to be located above the mouth of the Eastern Branch, 
and authorized the President ' ' to make any part of the said ter- 
ritory below the said limit, and above the mouth of Hunting 
creek, a part of the said District, so as to include a convenient 
part of the Eastern Branch, and of the lands lying on the lower 
side thereof, and also the town of Alexandria." It was provided 
that no public buildings should be erected otherwise than on the 
Maryland side of the Potomac. 

A proclamation had been issued by President Washington, 
dated Philadelphia, Jan. 24, 1791, defining the boundaries of the 
District selected by him pursuant to the provisions of the first 
act. This was now followed by another proclamation amenda- 
tory of the other, dated Georgetown, March 30, 1791. The 



15 

boxmdaries of the territory were therein declared to be as fol- 
lows: 

"Begiuuiug at Jones' Point, being the upper cape of Hunting 
creek, in Virginia, and at an angle in the outset of 45 degrees 
west of the north, and running in a direct line ten miles for the 
first line ; then beginning again at the same Jones' Point, and 
running another direct line at a right angle with the first, across 
the Potomac, ten miles, for the second line; then from the ter- 
minations of the said first and second line, running two other 
direct lines, of ten miles each, the one crossing the Eastern 
Branch aforesaid and the other the Potomac, and meeting each 
other in a point." ♦ * * "And the territory so to be located, de- 
fined, and limited shall be the whole territory accepted by the 
said act of Congi-ess as the District for the permanent seat of the 
Government of the United States. " 

This territory contained a surface of ten miles square^ forming 
an area of 100 square miles, or G4,000 acres, and included both 
margins of the Potomac. Its situation lay between 38° 48' and 
38° 59' north latitude. The Capitol, afterward erected near its 
centre, is in 7(5° 55' 30. 54" west longitude from Greenwich. 
Georgetown and Alexandria were within its limits — the remain 
der was i^lantation or farm land. 

President Washington appointed, Jan., 1791, ex-Governoi 
Thomas Johnson, of Md., Dr. David Stuart, of Va., and the 
Hon. Daniel Carroll, of Ilock Creek, Md., the first three Com- 
missioners pursuant to the provisions of the act of July 10, 1790. 
who were empowered "to survey" and "define and limit a 
district of territory * * for the permanent seat of Government." 
They were also "to have power to i^urchase or accept such 
quantity of laud on the eastern side of the said river, [Poto- 
mac,] within the said district, as the President shall deem proper 
for the use of the United States," and " provide suitable build- 



IG 

ings for the accommodation of Congress and of the President, 
and for the public offices of the Government of the United 
States;" all subject to the approval of the President.* 

Interesting as the history really is of the work accomplished 
by the Commissioners, their vexatious trials and various disap- 
pointments, the limited space of the present publication will 
only permit a recapitulation of the main results of their efforts. 

The bargain and purchase of the land occupied by the Fed- 
eral City from the original proprietors was brought about by the 
foDowing arrangement : 

Extracts from the Agreement of the Nineteen Original Proprie- 
tors. 

The liinits of the District of Columbia, as they now exist, hav- 
ing been fixed and proclaimed in March, 1791, under the author- 
ity of acts of Congress, nineteen of the principal proprietors of 
■ the lands constituting the present site of the city of "Washing- 
ton drew up and signed a general agreement among themselves, 
dated March 30, 1791, which they presented to the Commission- 
ers, as the basis of the terms on which they should dedicate their 
lands to the purposes of the Federal City, and as such it was ac- 
cepted by the Commissioners, and recorded in their books, on the 
I2th April, 1791, as follows : 

"We, the subscribers, in consideration of the great benefits 
we expect to derive from having the Federal City laid off upon 
our lands, do hereby agree and bind ourselves, heirs, executors, 
and administrators, to convey, in trust, to the President of the 
United States, or Commissioners, or such person or persons as 
he shall appoint, by good and sufficient deeds, in fee simple, the 
whole of our respective lands which he may think proper to in- 

* Vide Wyeth's Federal City. The compiler of this work has made very lib- 
eral use of Mr. Wyeth's book throughout, with the consent of that gentleman 



17 

elude within the lines of the Federal City, for the purposes and 
on the conditions following : 

* ' The President shall have the sole power of directing the Fed • 
eral City to be laid off in what manner he pleases. 

' ' He may retain any number of squares he may think proper 
for public improvements, or other public uses ; and the lots only, 
which shall be laid off, shall be h joint property between the trus- 
tees ou behalf of the public and each present proprietor ; and 
the same shall be fairly and equally divided between the public 
and the individuals, as soon as may be, the city shall be laid off. 
" For the streets the proprietors shall receive no compensation 
— but for the squares or lands in any form which shall be taken 
for public buildings, or any kind of public improvements or uses, 
the proprietors, whose lands shall be taken, shall receive at the 
rate of 25 pounds per acre, [sixty-six and two-thirds dollars,] to 
be paid by the public." 

The lands were conveyed, in trust, by the original proprietors, 
to Thomas Beall, son of George, and John Mackall Gantt, to be 
by them disposed of, to be laid out as a Federal City, according 
to the above provisions. 

In 1846 that portion of the District of Columbia which had 
been originally a portion of Virginia was retroceded by act of 
Congress back again to that State. 



PLAN OF THE CITY. 



A Frenchman, Major L'Enfant, originated the plan of the Fed 
eral City. He was a young officer belonging to the engineer 
corps of the French army, whicli aided us in our Revolutionary 
struggle. He early became a fa vorite of Gen. Washington, who 
approved his plan, and time has since confirmed the wisdom of 
that approval. 

The Capitol was to be considered the centre of the city ; from 
it the streets are counted north, south, east, and west ; several 
of the avenues also radiate from it. The streets cross each other 
at right angles. Those running east and west are called after 
the letters of the alphabet. A, B, C, D streets, etc. ; those run- 
ning north and south. First, Second, Third streets, etc. 

The avenues, named after the different States at the time the 
city was laid out— and a few others since added— cross these 
streets diagonally, and point in every conceivable direction. 

North, South, and East Capitol streets intersect each other at 
the centre of the Capitol, and with an imaginary line continued 
west, divide the city into four sections. So there is a First 
street oast and a First street west ; an A street north and an A 
street south, and so on throughout. 

There is no West Capitol street. Where that would have 
opened are gardens, etc., continued on until the grounds of the 
Smithsonian Institution are reached. Then succeed those sur- 
rounding the Agricultural Bureau building, and beyond them are 
those upon which the Washington Monument is erected. These 
reservations were intended to become an ornamented park, and 

10 



20 

in the early history of the city this space is called The Mall. The 
grounds stretching south from the President's House connect with 
those surrounding the Monument. 

The population of Washington City in 1810 was 8,208 ; in 1820, 
13,247: in 1880, 18,826; in 1840, 23,364; in 1850, 40,001; in 
1860,61,122; in 1870, 109,199; in 1880, 147,307; and in 1888, 
200,000. 

Assessed Value of Real Estate in Washington City. 

The statement of Mr. Ros. A. Fish, Treasurer and Assessor 
of the District, of the assessed value of real estate for the year 
ending June 30, 1887, is as follows : 

Washington — Taxable, $104,338,642; District Government, 
$2,254,172; United States, $103,719,373; exempt, $812,078; 
total, $216,078,743. 




Botanical Garden. 



THE CAPITOL. 



THE United States Capitol, like the Capitol of ancienX Koine, 
stands upon a hill, commanding a view westward, pro- 
nounced by the great traveller Humboldt one of the most beau- 
tiful his eyes had ever seen. 

The plateau east extends an elevated plain for a considerable 
distance towards the banks of the Anacostia or Eastern Branch 
of the Potomac. The descents of the hill north and south are 
graduated admirably — art as well as nature assisting in producing 
the present graceful declivities. 

The Capitol extends 751 feet 4 inches in length ; the greatest 
breadth, including the steps of the Extensions, is 324 feet. The 
whole covers an area of ihree-and-a-half acres, or 163,112 
square feet. Its cost to the present time, 1879, has been about 
$13,000,000. 

The centre portion of the building — the original Capitol — is 
built of yellowish sandstone, painted white, procured from an 
Island in Acquia creek, Virginia. The island was purchased 
by Government from the Brent family, for $G,000, in 1791. 

The Extensions are of white marble, slightly tinged with blue, 
obtained from Lee, Massachusetts. The monolith marble col- 
umns of the Extensions, of which there are one hundred, were 
taken from a quarry in Maryland. 

The Dome is of iron, painted white, surmounted by the statue 
of Freedom, a bronze figure 19^ feet in height. The tip of the 
feather of this statue is 287 feet 11 inches above the base line of 
the building east. Capitol hill is within a fraction of 90 feet 



22 

high ; consequently the head of the statue is 377 feet above tide- 
water. In comparison, it may be interesting to say that the 
height of St. Peter's, at Rome, is stated in Knight's Cyclopaedia to 
be, from the pavement to the top of the cross, 430 feet, and that 
of St, Paul's, at London, 404 feet. 

The east Capitol park, stretching to the line of First st. east, 
has a frontage from B st. n. e. to B st. s. e., comprising a dis- 
tance of 1,500 feet. The grounds are laid out according to a plan 
designed by Fred. Law Olmstead, of New York city, whose ad- 
mirable ornamentation of Central Park has given him well- 
deserved prominence in the line of civil engineer and landscape 
gardener. 

East of the centre portico, fronting either side, are to be mag- 
nificent fountains, each to cost from forty to fifty thousand dol- 
lars. Costly lamps are interspersed throughout the grounds, 
making, at night-time, when lighted, a scene resembling our idea 
of fairy-land. 

The eastern front of the Capitol is, properly speaking, its main 
front. It consists of a central Portico, 160 feet wide, with a pro- 
jection, including the steps, of 65 feet, ornamented with 24 pillars 
and 12 pilasters, crowned with a pediment of 80 feet span. The 
whole front of what was the original Capitol is 352 feet ; to this 
has been added, on either side, a colonnaded corridor of 44 feet ; 
to these are attached the Extensions— that of the Senate on the 
north, and that of the House on the south end. 

Each Extension is adorned with a portico 142 feet 8 in. wide, 
with a pediment of 72 feet span ; 22 columns and 12 pilasters 
of the Corinthian style ornament the Extension porticoes. 

The north and south fronts of the Capitol are alike. They ex- 
tend 239 feet, and have each a portico 120 feet front, with a 
projection of 10 feet 6 in., and an entablature supported by 10 
columns. 



23 

The west front of the Capitol is that with which strangers 
ordinarily are most familiar. It consists also of three ornamented 
porticoes ; the central one a colonnade 100 feet front, with ten 
columns, eight of which are coupled, and a corresponding num- 
ber of pilasters. This portico communicates with the Library of 
Congress. Then to each of the Extensions is attached a portico 
similar in architectural details to the north and south porti- 
coes, with a length of 105 feet, ornamented with 10 columns. 

This front of the Cajjitol possesses the advantage of the addi- 
tion of the height of the hill, the top of which it occupies. The 
grounds extend to Fii*st st. west, and connect with the Botanical 
Garden. 

A stone terrace has been erected on the north, west, and south 
sides, which removes the impression of insecurity, and gives 
the building an appearance of greater stability. A handsome 
balustrade crowns the terrace, and a grand stone stairway, con- 
sisting of a double flight of steps, reaching to the main western 
portico, is in course of construction. Underneath the terrace a 
number of rooms, for committee use, have been planned. 

The monument commemorating the important services of 
the navy during the recent civil war is at the foot of the hill, 
where Pennsylvania avenue intersects the Capitol grounds west. 

NAVAL MONUMENT. 

The height of the monument is about 40 feet. Two figures. 
History and America, crown the top. History holds in one 
hand a tablet, and a stylus in the oftier. America stands weeping, 
with her head bowed down. History directs attention to the in- 
scription in her tablet, "They died that their country might live." 



mm^m!k 




25 

Below these figures stands Victory, holding a wreath in her up- 
etretched right hand — beneath Victory, on either side, is a youth- 
ful Neptune and Mars. 

Peace occupies the same position on the east side or back of 
the monument as Victory does on the west or front side. She 
holds an olive branch in her hand, and is surrounded by repre- 
sentations of agricultural products and implements. A dove is 
also here beautifully sculptured. 

The monument bears the inscription, "In memory of the 
officers, seamen, and marines of the United States Navy who 
fell in defence of the Union and liberty of their country, 1861- 
1865." Funds were contributed for its erection by the officers 
and sailors of the navy, and members of the marine corps. Ad- 
miral Porter was actively instrumental in influencing the erection 
of this monument. It was designed by Franklin Simmons, 
of R. I. Government contributed $25,000 for the Statue of 
Peace, the granite fountain, and pedestal, &c., on which the 
monument stands. 

We will now return to the 

EAST CENTRAL PORTICO OF THE CAPITOL, 

Immediately opposite and facing this Portico is Greenough's 
Statue of Washington. It is of colossal size, and has an inter- 
esting history. It was ordered in 1832, to be placed in the centre 
of the Rotunda, over the tomb or vaulted chamber built for the 
reception of the remains of Washington two stories beneath. 
The statue was finished in 1840, and the artist received $20,000 
while working on it. Two other bills in connection with it were 
paid him, amounting to $10,435.85. The expenses of trans- 
portation from Italy, its erection in the Rotunda, of its subse- 
quent removals, and of the pedestal upon which it is placed, 
have absorbed at least $13,000 more. 



26 

The chair upon which the figure sits is ornamented with the 
acanthus leaf and lions' heads. A small figure of Columbus and 
another of an Indian chief lean against its back. On the pedestal 
is inscribed the deserved eulogy on Washington, pronounced by 
Governor Henry Lee : * ' First in war— first in peace— first in 
the hearts of his countrymen." 

Washington sits in majesty, a sort of Jupiter. His person is 
nude to the waist. In his left hand is a sheathed sword, and 
with his right he points towards heaven. 

On the right side of the chair is a basso-relievo of Phoebus- 
ApoUo driving the chariot of the sun around the world— thus 
representing, in pictured allegory, the rising sun, the crest of 
the national arms of the United States. On the left side of the 
chair is depicted the infant Hercules strangling the serpent, 
while Iphiclus, his feebler twin-brother, stretched on the ground 
shrinks from the contest; illustrating the genii of North ana 
South America. On the back of the chair is inscribed : ' ' 8imu 
lacrum istud ad magnum Libertatus exemplum, nee sine ipsa du- 
raturum. Horatio Greenough, faciehaty This has been trans- 
lated by a distinguished scholar into — 

" This statue cast in Freedom's stately form. 
And by her e'er upheld. 

"Horatio Greenough, Sculptor." 

We will now ascend the steps. Upon them the Presidents of 
the United States are inaugurated; over a hundred thousand 
peoi^le, occupying the eastern park, might witness the ceremony. 

Above the south end of the steps, on an elevated block, stands 
a marble group by Signor Persico, called The Discovery, on 
which he worked five years. It consists of two figures : Colum- 
bus holding the globe in his hand triumphant, while beside him, 
wondering, almost terror-stricken, is a female figure, symboliz- 
ing the Indian race. The suit of armor worn by Columbus is 





Greenough's Washington. 



29 

said to be a faithful copy of one he actually wore. The group 

cost $24,000. 

Ou the north side of the steps, occupying a similar elevation, 
is another marble group — the artist, Horatio Greenough — called 
Civilization, or the Settlement of the Country. It represents 
the American pioneer in conflict with the Indian ; the fight is 
desperate ; the wife of the frontier settler, with her babe, and u 
faithful dog, are the adjuncts. Greenough was at work eight 
years on this group, which cost $24,000. 

TYMPANUM OF THE PORTICO. 

Before we enter the Portico we wiU direct attention to a group 
of allegorical figures of colossal size, said to be the design of 
John Quincy Adams, executed by Signer Persico. and occupying 
the tympanum of the Portico — just over our heads. 

The central figure is the Genius of America, crowned with a 
star, holding a shield ; on it are the letters U. S. A. The shield 
rests ou an altar, on which, within an oaken wreath, is inscribed, 
"July 4, 177G." At her feet sits an eagle. Behind her is a 
apear. Hope on her left rests on an anchor. America directs 
the attention of Hope to Justice, who has in her right hand the 
Constitution of the United States. This composition is wrought 
m sandstone, and cost $1,500. 

Within niches on either side of the Bronze Door are statues, 
also the work of Signor Persico. 

The one on the north side is War. The figure grasps in his 
right hand a sword, in the other, a shield. His costume is Ko- 
man, and his belt and tunic are ornamented with appropriate 
symbols. 

Peace is a female figure of majestic beauty, with a gentle, 
winning smile, and in simple flowing robes. She holds a fruit- 
bearing olive branch in her hand. The cost of these two figures 
was $6,000 each. 




War. 




Peace. 



32 

Above the Bronze Door, sculptured in stone by Capellano, is a 
bust of Washington crowned by Fame and Peace. 

THE ROGERS BRONZE DOOR. 

This is the main central door of the Capitol, and on it is a 
pictured history of events connected with the life of Columbus 
and the discovery of America. 

The door weighs 20,000 pounds ; is 17 feet high and 9 feet 
wide ; it is folding or double, and stands sunk back inside of a 
bronze casing, which projects about a foot forward from the 
leaves or valves. On this casing are four figures at the top and 
bottom, representing Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. A 
border, emblematic of conquest and navigation, runs along the 
casing between them. 

The Door has eight Panels beside the semi-circular one at the 
top. In each Panel is a picture in alto-relievo. 

It was designed by Kandolph Kogers, an American, and mod- 
elled by him in Eome, in 1858 ; and was cast by F. Von Milller, 
at Munich, in 1861. 

The story the door tells is the History of Columbus and 
the Discovery of America. 

The Panel containing the earliest event in the life of the 
discoverer is the lowest one on the south side, and represents 
"Columbus undergoing an Examination before the Council of 
Salamanca." 

The Panel above it contains "Columbus' Departure from the 
Convent of La Rabida," near Palos. He is just setting out to 
visit the Spanish Court. 

The one above it is his " Audience at the Court of Ferdinand 
and Isabella." 

The next Panel is the top one of this half of the door, and 
represents the "Starting of Columbus from Palos on his first 
royage." 



The transom Panel occupies the semi-circular sweep ovei 

the whole door. The extended picture here is the *' First Land- 
ing of the Spaniards at San Salvador." 

The top Panel on the other leaf of the door represents the 
"First Encounter of the Discoverers with the Natives." In it 
one of the sailors is seen bringing an Indian girl on his shoulders 
a prisoner. The transaction aroused the stern indignation of 
Columbus. 

The Panel next below this one has in it "The Triumf)hai 
Entry of Columbus into Barcelona." 

The Panel below this represents a very different scene, and is 
"Columbus in Chains." 

In the next and last Panel is the ' ' Death scene. " Columbus 
lies in bed. The last rites of the Catholic Church have been 
administered ; friends and attendants are around him ; and a 
priest holds up a crucifix for him to kiss, and upon it bids him fix 
his dying eyes. 

On the Door, on the sides and between the Panels, are sixteen 
small statues, set in niches, of eminent contemporaries of Colum- 
bus. Their names are marked on the Door, and beginning at 
the bottom, on the side from which we started in numbering the 
Panels, we find the figure in the lowest niche is Perez ; then 
above him is Cortez, and again standing over him is Ojeda. 

Vespucci occupies the next niche on the door. 

Then, opposite in line across the door, standing in two niches, 
side by side, are Mendoza and Alexander VI. 

Then below them stand Isabella and Ferdinand, King and 
Queen of Spain; beneath them stands the Lady Beatrice de 
Bobadilla; beside her is Charles VIII, King of France. 

The first figure of the lowest pair on the door is Henry VII, 
of England ; beside him, stands John II, King of Portugal. 

Then, in the same line with them, across the Panel, is Pinzon. 
3 



3tL 

In the niche above Pinzon stands B. Columbus, the brother 
of the great navigator. 

Then comes Vasco Nunez de Balboa, and in the niche above, 
again ftt the top of the Door, stands the figure of Francisco 
Pizarro, the conqueror of Peru. 

Between the Panels and at top and bottom of the valves of the 
Door are ten projecting heads. Those between the Panels are 
historians who have written on Columbus' voyages from his own 
time down to the present day, ending with Irving and Prescott. 

The two heads at the tops of the valves are female heads, while 
the two next the floor possess Indian characteristics. 

Above, over the transom arch, looks down, over all, the serene 
grand head of Columbus. Beneath it, the American Eagle 
spreads out his widely extended wings. 

Mr. Kogers received $8,000 for his models, and Mr. Von 
Muller was paid $17,000 in gold for casting the Door. To a 
large portion of this latter sum must be added the high premium 
on exchange which ruled during the war, the cost of storage and 
iransjoortation, and the expense of the erection of the Door in 
the Capitol after its arrival. These items would, added together, 
far exceed $30,000 in the then national currency. 

We will now enter the 

ROTUNDA. 

This magnificent apartment occupies the centre of the CapitoL 
It is 97 feet in diameter and 300 feet in circumference. Its 
height, from the floor to the centre of the pictured canopy which 
overhangs it, is 180 feet 3 inches. 

We will first look at the pictures which surround its circuit. 
There are eight of them, each occupying a large panel, and they 
measure 18 by 12 feet. 

The first in point of event is the Landing of Columbus at 



35 

Sau Salvador in 1402 ; by John Vanderlyn ; its cost was $12,000. 
This picture represents the scene Washington Irving so admirably 
describes in his "Voyages of Columbus," occurring the morning 
the boats brought the little Spanish band from the ships to the 
shore. "Columbus first threw himself upon his knees; then 
rising, drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and, assem- 
bling round him the two captains, with Kodrigo de Escobeda, 
notary of the armament, Rodrigo Sanchez, [the royal inspector,] 
and the rest who had landed, he took solemn possession of the 
island in the name of the Castilian sovereigns." The picture 
contains the figures of Columbus, the two Pinzons, Escobedo, all 
bearing standards ; Sanchez, inspector ; Diego de Arana, with 
an old-fashioned arquebus on his shoulder ; a cabin-boy kneel- 
ing ; a mutineer in a suppliant attitude ; a sailor in an attitude 
of veneration for Columbus ; a soldier whose attention is diverted 
by the appearance of the natives, and a friar bearing a crucifix. 

The second picture in succession of event, 1541, is De Soto's 
Discovery of the Mississippi, painted by Wm. H. Powell ; cost 
$!.'>, 000. The scene is a view of the Mississii^pi river, with 
islands in sight and canoes filled with Indians. On the bank, 
soldiers and priests are planting a cross ; to the left are wigwams 
and a group of Indians. De Soto on horseback is approaching 
the river in state, attended by a train of followers. A camp- 
chest, with arms, and a soldier dressing his wounded leg, are 
accessories of the painting. 

The next in order of time, 1G13, is The Baptism of Poca 
hontas, by John Gadsby Chapman; cost $10,000. 

This picture tells its own story. The characters introduced 
are Pocahontas, John Rolfe, afterwards her husband, with the 
Rev. Alex. Whitaker, who is performing the ceremony ; Sir Thomas 
Dale stands on his right, his standard-bearer and page near him. 
The sister of Pocahontas, with her child, is seated on the floor 



36 

Opechaiikanough, an Indian chief, also is seated, while Nanta- 
quaas and Opachisco, her brother and uncle, stand near her. 
Other figures, male and female, are stationed in different parts 
of the church ; among them are Kichard Wyfl&n, Mr. and Mrs. 
Forrest, John and Anne Laydon, and Henry Spilman. 

The succeeding picture, in chronological series, is The Em- 
barcation of the Pilgrims from Delft-Haven, in Holland, 21st 
July, 1620. Painted by Eobert Walter Weir. Cost $10,000. 

The scene depicted is the delivery of the parting prayer of Mr. 
Robinson, the pastor of the little congregation, on board the 
Speedwell^ surrounded by the pilgrims and their friends. The 
persons represented are the pastor, then Elder Wm. Brewster, 
with open Bible before him, Mrs. Brewster and a sick child. Gov. 
Carver, Wm. Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, Miles Standish and 
Rose, his wife, Mrs. Carver and child, Mrs, Bradford, Captain 
Reynolds and sailor, with several children, a nurse, etc. 

The four other pictures were painted by Col. John TrumbuU, 
son of Jonathan Trumbull, governor of Connecticut previous to 
and during the Revolution, Col. Trumbull was himself at one 
time aid-de-camp of General Washington, but retired from tlie 
service in 1777. 

The Trumbull series of pictures are especially valuable, because 
each of the many faces painted in them are actual likenesses, 
for which many of the subjects sat to the artist, and when this 
was not the case, copies of portraits at the time in the possession 
of the respective families were introduced. The paintings are 
the result of many years' devotion to his art by Col. Trumbull, 
and of a patriotic endeavor to perpetuate the grand deeds which 
they commemorate. 

Col. Trumbull received for these four pictures $32,000, They 
were ordered in 1817 and finished in 1824. Col. Trumbull was 
born ?756: died 1843. 



37 

The Declaration of Independence, 1776. The room is copied 
from that iu which Congress sat. The Committee of Five who 
reported the draft of the Declaration, Jefferson, John Adams, 
Franklin, Sherman, and E. E. Livingston, stand near the table 
at which Hancock, the president, sits. 

The other portraits are, commencing on the extreme left, 1. 
George Wythe, of Va.; 2, \Vm. Whipple and, 3, Josiah Bartlett, 
of N. H.; 4, Benj. Harrison, of Va.; 5, Thomas Lynch, of S. C; 
6, Richard Henry Lee, of Va.; 7, Samuel Adams, of Mass.; 8, 
George Clinton, of N. Y.; 9, William Paca and, 10, Samuel 
Chase, of Md.; 11, Lewis Morris and, 12, William Floyd, of N. 
Y.; 13, Arthur Middleton and, 14, Thomas Hayward, of S. C; 
15, Charles Carroll, of Md.; IG, George Walton, of Ga.; 17, Rob- 
ert Morris, 18, Thomas Willing, and, 19, Benjamin Eush, of Pa.; 
20, Elbridge Gerry and, 21, Robert Treat Payne, of Mass.; 22, 
Abraham Clark, of N. J. ; 23, Stephen Hopkins and, 24, William 
Ellery, of E. I. ; 25, George Clymer, of Pa. ; 26, William Hooper 
and, 27, Joseph Hewes, of N. C; 28, James Wilson, of Pa., and 
29, Francis Hopkinson, of N. J. 

Then comes the Committee of Five, already noted; after 
which, still continuing, are — 

35, Eichard Stockton, of N. J.; 36, Francis Lewis, of N. Y.; 
37, John Witherspoon, of N. J.; 38, Samuel Huntington, 39, 
William Williams, and, 40, Oliver Wolcott, of Conn.; 41, John 
Hancock, of Mass., President of Congress; 42, Charles Thomp- 
son, of Pa.; 43, George Eeed and, 44, John Dickinson, of Del.; 
45, Edward Eutledge, of S. C; 46, Thomas McKean, of Pa.; 
and, 47, Philip Livingston, of N. Y. 

Surrender of General Burgoyne, Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777. 
"The painting represents Gen. Burgoyne, attended by Gen. 
Phillii^s, and followed by other officers, arriving near the marque 
of Gen. Gates. 



•ss 

** Gen. Gates has advanced a few steps to meet his prisoner, 
who, with Gen. Phillips, has dismounted, and is in the act of 
offering his sword, which Gen. Gates declines to receive, and in- 
vites them to enter and partake of refreshments. A number of 
the principal officers of the American army are assembled near 
their General." These we will now enximerate. 

(The numbering commences on the extreme left of the picture, ) 

1, Major Lithgow, of Mass.; 2, Colonel Cilly and, 3, General 
Stark, of N. H.; 4, Captain Seymour, of Conn., of Sheldon's 
horse ; ^^, Major Hull, and, 6, Colonel Greaton, of Mass. ; 7, Major 
Dearborn, and, 8, Colonel Scammell, of N. H.; and, 9, Colonel 
Lewis, Quartermaster-General, N. Y. 10, Major-General Phil- 
lips, of the British army ; 11, Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, 
British, and, 12, General Baron Reidesel, German. 13, Colonel 
Wilkinson, Deputy Adjutant-General, American; 14, General 
Gates ; 15, Colonel Prescott, Mass. Volunteers ; 16, Colonel Mor- 
gan, Va. Riflemen ; 17, Brigadier-General Rufus Putnam, of 
Mass.; 18, Lieutenant-Colonel John Brooks, late Governor of 
Mass.; 19, Reverend Mr. Hitchcock, Chaplain, of R. I.; 20, Major 
Robert Troup, Aid-de-Camp, N. Y. ; 21, Major Haskell, of 
Mass.; 22, Major Armstrong, Aid-de-Camp; 23, Major-General 
Philip Schuyler, Albany; 24, Brigadier-General Glover, of Mass.; 
25, Brigadier-General Whipple, N. H. Militia; 20, Major Matthew 
Clarkson, Aid-de-Camp, N.Y., and, 27, Major Ebenezer Stevens, 
of Mass. , Commander of Artillery. 

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781. 
This was the triumphant closing scene of the war; and the 
glory of the triumph seems to linger on the glowing canvar 

"The painting represents the moment when the principal 
officers of the British army, conducted by Gen. Lincoln, are 
passing the two groups of American and French generals, and 
entering between the two lines of the victors." 



39 

The names of the officers represented will be found below. 
The portraits of the French officers were obtained in Paris in 
1787, and were painted from the living men in the house of Mr. 
Jefferson, then Minister to France from the United States, 

"Lord Cornwallis himself did not appear. The British forces 
were led by Gen. O'Hara, who, approaching Gen. Washington, 
took off his hat and apologized for the non-appearance of Lord 
Cornwallis, on account of indisposition, Washington received 
him with dignified courtesy, but pointed him to Major-General 
Lincoln as the officer who was to receive the submission of the 
garrison," 

1, Count Deuxponts, Colonel of French Infantry ; 2, Duke de- 
Laval Montmorency, Colonel of French Infantry ; 3, Count Cus- 
tine. Colonel of French Infantry ; 4, Duke de Lauzun, Colonel 
of French Cavalry ; 6, General Choizy ; 6, Viscount Viomenil ; _ 
7, Marqiiis de St. Simon ; 8, Count Fersen, Aid-de-Camp ; and, 

9, Count Charles Damas, Aid-de-Camp of Count Rochambeau ; 

10, Marquis Chastellux; 11, Baron Viomenil; 12, Count de 
Barras, Admiral ; 13, Count de Grasse, Admiral ; 14, Count 
Rochambeau, General en Chef des Fran^aise ; 15, General Lin- 
coln ; 10, Colonel Ebenezer Stevens, of the American Artillery; 
17, General Washington, Commander-in-Chief; 18, Thomas 
Nelson, Governor of Va,; 19, Marquis La Fayette; 20, Baron 
Steuben; 21, Colonel Cobb, Aid-de-Camp to General Washing- 
ton ; 22, Colonel Trumbull, Secretary to General Washington ; 
23, Major-General James Clinton, N, Y.; 24, General Gist, 
Maryland ; 25, General Anthony Wayne, Penn. ; 2(5, General 
Hand, Adjutant-General, Penn,; 27, General Peter Muhlenberg, 
Penn.; 28, Major-General Henry Knox, Commander of Artillery ; 
29, Lieutenant-Colonel E. Huntington, Acting Aid-de-Camp of 
General Lincoln ; 30, Colonel Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster- 
General ; 31, Colonel Alexander Hamilton, Commanding Light 



40 

Infantry; 32, Colon elJohn Laurens, of S. 0.; 3a, Colonel Wal- 
ter Stuart, of Philadelphia ; and, 34, Colonel Nicholas Fish, of 
N. Y. 

Resignation of General Washington : Annapolis, Dec. 23, 
1783. General Washington, after taking leave of his old com- 
rades at New York, accompanied by only two of them, proceeded 
to Annapolis, where Congress was then sitting, and there resigned 
his commission. 

The persons introduced, whose portraits are given, are : 
1, Thomas Mifflin, of Pa„, President of Congress; 2, Charles 
Thompson, of Pa ; 3, Elbridge Gerry, of Mass. ; 4. Hugh Wil- 
liamson, of N. C; 5, Samuel Osgood, of Mass.; 6, Edward Mc- 
Comb, of Del.; 7, George Partridge, of Mass.; 8, Edward Lloyd, 
of Md.; 9, R. D. Spaight and 10, Benjamin Hawkins, of N. C; 
11, A. Foster, of N. H.; 12, Thomas Jefferson, of Va.; 13, Ar- 
thur Lee, of Va.; 14, David Howell, of R. L; 15, James Monroe, 
of Va.; 16, Jacob Reid, of S. C, members of Congress; 17, 
James Madison, of Va., spectator; 18, William Ellery, of R. L; 
1.9, Jeremiah Townley Chase, of Md.; 20, S. Hardy, of Va.; 21, 
Charles Morris, of Pa., members; 22, General George Washing- 
ton ; 28, Colonel Benjamin Walker, and 24, Colonel David Hum- 
phrys, Aids-de-Camp ; then, 25, General Smallwood, of Md. ; 26, 
General Otho Holland Williams, or Md.; 27, Colonel Samuel 
Smith, of Md.; 28, Colonel John E. Howard, of Baltimore, Md.; 
29, Charles Carroll, and two daughters, of Md.; 30, Daniel, of 
St. Thomas Jennifer, Md.; 31, Mrs. Washington, and her grand- 
children, spectators. 

Relievos in the Rotunda. 

Over each of the four doors leading from the Rotunda are 
alto-relievos in stone. The cost of the four is said to have been 
$14,000. 



41 

The group over the east door is '' The Landing of the Pilgrims 
on Plymouth Kock In 1620." The artist was Signor Enrico 
Causici, of Verona, a pupil of Canova. 

That over the north doorway is ' ' William Penn's Treaty with 
the Indians in 1686." A Frenchman, Monsieur N. Gevelot, exe- 
cuted this work in 1827. 

Over the door opening west is " The Preservation of Captain 
Smith by Pocahontas in 1606." Signor Capellano, another pupil 
of Canova, was the artist. It was executed in 1825. 

The group over the doorway leading south is the "Conflict 
between Daniel Boone and the Indians, 1775." This is the work 
of Causici. 

Eight long narrow basso-relievos of arabesque pattern are in 
the panels above the pictures. Four of them contain medallion 
heads. The heads are portraits of Columbus, Cabot, Sir Wal- 
ter Raleigh, and La Salle. The whole of them cost $9,500. 
The Belt of the Rotunda. 

There is above the architrave a sunken space or kind of 
Bhelf, about 9 feet high, traversing the whole circuit of the Ro- 
tunda. This is now being tilled with a fresco in chiaro-oscuro 
in imitation of alto-relievo. It is a series of Sketches of Ameri- 
can History, and is so wonderful in execution that, from the 
floor of the Rotunda, it seems incredible that it is not a relief. 

The series commences immediately above the west door of the 
chamber. The first tall figure is America armed with spear aud 
shield, at her feet the eagle ; seated on the ground on her right 
is the American Indian with bow and arrows ; and in the same 
position on her left the Genius of History sketching events. 

The looker-on must now imagine himself looking into the 
sketch-book, the first scene of which is, 

"The Landing of Columbus." 

The second, ' ' Cortez entering the Temple of the Sun in Mexico." 



42 

The third, "Pizarro, with the horse, i^rogressing in the con- 
quest of Peru." 

The fourth, ** The burial of De Soto in the Mississippi river." 

The fifth, "The rescue of Captain John Smith by Poca- 
hontas." 

The sixth, "The disembarkation of the Pilgrim Fathers." 

The seventh. " Penn's treaty with the Indians and settlement 
of Pennsylvania." 

The eighth, " The Industrial Colonization of the New England 
States." 

The ninth, " Gen. Oglethorpe and Muscogee Chief," an inci- 
dent in the colonization of Georgia. 

The tenth, "The Battle of Lexington." 

The eleventh, " The Declaration of Independence." 

The twelfth, "The surrender of Lord Cornwallis." 

The thirteenth, "The death of Tecumseh." 

The fourteenth, " The American Army entering the city of 
Mexico." 

The fifteenth and last, completing the circuit of the belt, 
" Laborers in the gold mines of California." 

The estimated cost of this picture is il 0,000. 

A short distance above the frieze thirty-six tall windows admit 
a flood of light into the chamber. Above them springs the arcL 
of the dome, lessening in curvature like the inside of an egg- 
shell, until contracted to a space of 50 feet in diameter, forming 
the eye of the dome. 

Beyond and over this open eye, within the canopy that over- 
hangs it, is painted Brumidi's allegorical fresco of the Apotheosis 
of Washington.* 

* The word "Apotheosis" is of Greek origin, and means the enrolment of a 
mortal among the gods. 



43 

Brumidi's Allegorical Painting. 

The central group of the picture represents Washington 
seated in majesty. On his right is the Goddess or Liberty, 
and on his left is a winged idealization of Victory and Fame — 
sounding a trumpet and displaying the victor's palm. Before 
the three, forming a semicircle, are thirteen female figures. 
They represent the thirteen original States ; each is crowned 
with a star, and they hold up a ribbon-banner inscribed " E 
Pluribus Unum.'' 

Below this centre group are six other groups round the base 
of the canopy. 

The first, occupying the west, is Wab. Freedom, with uplifted 
sword, is striking down tyranny and kingly power. An angry 
Eagle, striking with his beak, is fighting for, and by the side of, 
Fkeedom. 

The second is Agriculture. Ceres, Flora, and Pomona figure 
in this group. 

Then succeeds Mechanics. Vulcan, with his right foot rest- 
ing on a cannon, and surrounded by machinery, forges, mortars, 
and cannon balls, is the stalwart genius of this group. 

The next, and occupying the east, is Commerce. Mercury 
holds in his hand a bag of gold, to which he is directing the at- 
tention of Robert Morris. 

The group beside this symbolizes the Marine. Aphrodite, 
[Venus,] half risen from the waves, holds in her hand the Atlan- 
tic cable, given her by a winged cherub, and is about dropping 
it into the sea. Neptune, astonished, is emerging from the 
deep. 

The last is The Arts and Sciences. Minerva stands glo- 
riously prominent with helmet and spear. Near her, attentive 
to her teachings, are Benjamin Franklin, Hobert Fulton, and 
S. F. B. Morse, There are also boys, with wondering eyes and 



44 

expressive gestures, listening to the instruction of a school- 
teacher. 

This painting covers an area of 4,064 square feet. 

Mr. Brumidi received for this work .f 39,500. 

The circumference of the base of the canopy is 205 feet 4 inches ; 
its diameter is 65 feet 4 inches, and its height from base to top, 
in a straight line, is 20 feet 7j inches, [These dimensions were 
obtained at the office of Edward Clark, Esq., present Architect of 
the Capitol Extension and the New Dome, a pupil of the designer 
and former Architect, Thomas U. Walter, Esq.] 

Signer C. Brumidi. 

It is natural to desire to know something of the artist to whom 
we are indebted for this painting. Signer C. Brumidi, an Ital- 
ian, was born in Rome about 1806. He came to America in 
1852. 

He was mainlj^ engaged for years in ornamenting various por- 
tions of the walls of the Capitol, and his name will ever be as- 
sociated with the history and beauty of our world-renowned 
national building. 

He also painted the frescoes which adorn the Cathedral of 
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in Philadelphia. 

Wall Preparation, etc. 
The preparation of the plaster ground-work for the artist was 
the work of Mr. Joseph Beckert. 

The Whispering Gallery of the Capitol. 
The spherical shape of the canopy, inside of which the picture 
we have just described is painted, causes an interesting acoustic 
result. Two persons, standing immediately opposite each other, 
can converse with the utmost ease in a low tone of voice — in- 
deed, if it is silent in the Kotunda beneath, a whisper can be 




i;^|.f;;,.:M^¥;|i 




,,, , mmimii 



■rT^r^ 




47 

distinctly heard across the immense concave^ The voice of the 
person speaking, however, seems to be talking immediately op- 
posite and above the position he really occupies. It is well worth 
the climb to observe this singular effect. 

The stairway still ascends above the picture, and traverses the 
top of the canopy between the two shells, until it reaches the 
" Tholus " or "lantern " of the Dome. 

The Statue of Freedom 
crowns the Dome. It weighs 14,985 pounds, and was placed in 
position Dec. 2, 18G3. The forts then surrounding Washington 
fired a salute in honor of the occasion. Mr. Crawford received 
for his model $3,000, and the casting of it, by Mr. Clark Mills, 
with all the attending expenses, netted an additional sum of 
!$20,7t)G.82. 

For years previous to 1880, the Kotunda, Dome, and Tholus 
were lighted at night-time by 1,280 gas-jets ignited by electricity. 
The electric-room is in the central portion of the building. 

We will now descend from the Dome again to the Rotunda, and 
enter the doorway leading south from that apartment. 

Passing through a small vestibule, we shall then find ourselves 
in the 

Old Hall of Representatives. 

This chamber, resembling an ancient Grecian theatre, is 95 
feet long, and GO feet in height to the most elevated point of the 
ceiling. Twenty-six pillars and pilasters of Potomac marble 
support a dome with painted caissons. A cupola, painted by 
Bonaui, an Italian, admits light from above. 

Under a sweeping arch near the dome is a colossal figure of 
LiBEUTY, by Causici, in plaster. Beneath it, on the entablature, 
is sculptured, in stone, the American eagle in the act of taking 
wing, by Valperti, also an Italian. 



48 

Opposite, over the door through which we entered, stands the 
old marble clock of the Hall. It represents the Genius of His- 
tory recording the events of the nation. She stands in a grace- 
ful attitude, with pen in hand, on a winged car rolling over a 
globe. The wheel of the car serves as the face of the clock. 
This beautiful work of art was executed by Signor G. Franzoni, 
an Italian, who died May 12, 1819. The credit of designing it 
is a matter of controversy. 

This Old Hall is now used as a statuary-room, in compliance 
with a suggestion of Senator Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont, made 
when a member of the House, that " each State should be permit- 
ted to send the eflSgies of two of her chosen sons, in marble or 
bronze, to be placed permanently here." Other statuary, be- 
longing to the Government, mostly of historical interest, with 
paintings, etc., have also been placed in their companionship. 

Of this latter class we will first speak : Among them stands a 
plaster cast of 

Houdon's Washington. 

Houdon came from France with Franklin in 1785, and obtained 
his model from Washington himself. He remained a guest for 
two weeks at Mount Vernon. The present copy was taken by 
Hubard, and cost $2,000. 

Bust of Kosciusko. 

Bom 1755, died 1817. The artist who made this bust was als 
a Pole, named Mochowski. He assumed as his American nau 
that of Saunders. It cost $500. 

Miss Ream's Statue of Lincoln. 
In 1866 Congress appropriated $10,000 for a fuU-length statue 
of Mr. Lincoln. Miss Eeam, of Washington city, received the 
commission for its execution. The work was finished in 1870, 
and on its completion an additional $5,000 was obtained by her 
from Congress. 



49 

Ames' Bust of Lincoln. 
Mrs. Sarah Fisher Ames, of Mass., received an order in 1868 
from Congress to make a bust of President Lincoln. She re- 
ceived $2,000 for her work. It stands on a Scotch granite pedes- 
tal, presented by A. Macdonald, Field & Co., of Aberdeen, Scot- 
land. 

Bust of Thomas Crawford. 

Crawford was the artist who designed the statue of Freedouj , 
the Senate Bronze Door, the marble group above it, and the 
marble figures ornamenting the tympanum of the Senate Exten- 
sion Portico. His bust is the work of T. Gagliardi. The price 
paid for it was $100. 

Statue of Alexander Hamilton. 
Dr. Horatio Stone, of "Washington city, executed this statue in 
Rome. It arrived from Italy in 1868, and cost $10,000. 

The Bronze Statue of Thomas Jefferson, 
by David d' Angers, a French sculptor, was presented to Con- 
gress by Lieutenant Uriah P. Levy, U. S. Navy, in 1834, but was 
not formally accepted by Government until 1873. It stood, long 
ago, in the Eotunda, and after its removal from there was placed 
in front of the President's House, a position it occupied for 
many years. After its acceptance, upon the motion of Senator 
Sumner it was finally located in the old Hall. This bronze was 
cast by Honor i Oonon et ses deux fits. 

The Portraits. 
These are a Mosaic of Mr. Lincoln, presented by Signer Sal- 
viat?, of Venice. Signor Salviati is the great manufacturer of 
mosaic work in Italy. The probable mercantile value of this 
naoKtt'c \a about Jj$l,0*J0. Also, 

4 



5U 

A portrait of Joshua R. Giddings, by Miss C. L. Ransom, 
Cost, $1,000. 

A likeness of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, born 1737, died 
1832 ; the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. Painted by Chester Harding. Cost, $500. 

In 1872 a portrait of Gunning Bedford, a member of the Con- 
tinental Congress from Delaware, was presented by the heirs ol 
the family to Government. 

A portrait of Thomas Jefferson, by Sully — an original, es- 
teemed an admirable picture — placed here in 1875. Cost, $200. 

A portrait of Benjamin West, painted by himself, is also a 
recent addition. 

An original portrait of General Washington, by Stuart, pur- 
chased in 187G, by the Joint Committee on the Library, from ex- 
Senator Chesnut, of Camden, S. C, for $1,200. 

Statuary Furnished by the States. 
Rhode Island contributed the first of all the States the per- 
mitted quota, viz : 

Major-General Nathaniel Greene, 
born 1742, died 1786. The sculptor was Henry K. Brown. The 
work is dated Rome, 1869, Aug. 6. And 

Roger Williams, 
the pioneer-apostle of liberty of religious opinion ; bom 1606, 
died 1683. The artist was Franklin Simmons, of R. I. The 
marble was cut in Rome. Date, 1870. 
Connecticut was the next to send her marble representation. 

One is 

Jonathan Trumbull, 

^he last colonial governor of the State, who became a tower of 
strength to the revolutionary movement. Bom 1710 ; died 1785. 



61 

He was the father of the painter, Col. Trumbull ; he also was the 
intimate friend of Washington, and because of their familiar 
intercourse Washington applied to him the soubriquet of Brother 
Jonathan. The other is 

Roger Sherman, 
the shoemaker, afterward lawyer, judge, delegate to Congress, 
one of the Committee of Five, and signer of the Declaration ol 
Independence, is the other. Born 1721 ; died 1793. The artist, 
E. E. Ives, a native of Connecticut, made both these statues in 
Rome. They were formally unveiled February, 1872. 
New York has sent in bronze 

George Clinton, 
who died at Washington city in 1812. Vice-President U. S. 
Artist, Henry R. Brown; 1878. Founders, Robert Wood & Co., 
Philadelphia. And 

Robert R. Livingston, 
one of the Committee of Five who presented the Report, but who 
was not a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was 
the first chancellor of the State of New York, and administered 
the oath of ofl&ce to President Washington. He was also Minis- 
ter to France when the purchase of Louisiana was completed. 
E. D. Palmer, artist; 1874. Cast by F. Barbedienne, founder, 
Paris. 

Gov. John Winthrop 
is a contribution from the State of Massachusetts. By Richard 
S. Greenough, the brother of Horatio Greenough. And 

Samuel Adams, 
who has been proudly denominated "The Father of the Revo- 
lution." George Clymer wrote of him in 1773 : "All good men 



52 

should erect a statue to him in their hearts." Samuel A.dams was 
born in Boston, Sept. 22, 1722 ; died Oct. 2, 1803. He was a 
cousin of John Adams, second President of the United States. 

The bitterness of Tory hate against him is manifested in the 
words of Bernard, who wrote : "Damn Samuel Adams! every 
dip of his pen stings like a horned snake." 

The artist, Miss Whitney, has produced an admirable statue 
of the Revolutionary hero. 

Governor Wm. King. 

The State of Maine has sent as her first gift to this silent as- 
sembly the statue of her earliest governor. Gov. King was born 
at Scarborough, Me., in 1708. He was president of the con- 
vention which framed the constitution of his native State. Maine 
was admitted a member of the Federal Union, March 15, 1820. 
It was formed from territory of Massachusetts. 

Franklin Simmons, artist, 1877. 

Col. Ethan Allen, 
the hero of Ticonderoga, is one of the statues sent from Vermont, 
and 

Jacob Collamer, 

a U. S. Senator, the other. 
Ohio has contributed 

James A. Garfield, 
a bright light, and brave leader, President of the United States, 
and 

William Allen, 
Governor and U. S. Senator. 

Richard Stockton, 
a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the brave 

General Philip Kearny, 
are from New Jersey. 



53 

Col. Edward D. Baker. 

This statue was ordered by Congress, and cost $10,000. Born 
in England, of poor parents, Col. Baker came a boy to this 
country, where, with his father, he worked at weaving. He 
eventually became a Senator of the U. S. from Oregon, and died 
at Ball's Bluff, near Leesburg, gallantly fighting rebellion at the 
head of his regiment, Oct. 21, 1861. The artist was Hokatio 
Stone, and this statue was the last work of his graceful chisel. 
Doctor Stone died in Italy in 187'), 

In this old hall of Representatives several curious acoustic 
properties are observable. When in use as a legislative chamber 
they were exceedingly annoj'ing, and made hearing therein diffi- 
cult. Now the same effects cause wonder and amusement to the 
passing visitor. It is almost impossible to describe intelligibly 
their effect. Guides, or the police officers in attendance, will 
willingly point oiat their characteristics to strangers. 



54 

The Electric Light. 

Before leaving this portion of the original Capitol, it may 
prove interesting to state something with regard to the experi- 
ments made with a view to lighting the new hall of the House of 
Representatives by the electric light. Mr. J. H. Rogers, elec- 
trician of the Capitol, in his report submitted to Congress in 
December, 1879, after enumerating in scientific language a num- 
ber of difficulties he had surmounted, says, "and now only a slight 
flickering remains, which we hope soon to overcome. Such is 
the sensibility of the eye to the flickering rays of light, that we 
hesitate to apply the electric light in the halls of legislation in 
its present comparatively imperfect state." 

Into the Rotunda, Dome, and Tholus, electric lights were in- 
troduced late in 1879. 

Important changes were made in the south Extension of the 
Capitol preparatory to the meeting of Congress in December, 
1879 : 

The former Speaker's, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Reporters' rooms, 
at the south of the hall of Representatives, were converted into 
one room, and by means of large openings into their north wall 
have been thrown open to the corridors between them and the 
hall, thus making a large, light, and airy retiring-room for mem- 
bers. The blank doorways in the south wall of the gallery have 
also been opened. To provide accommodations for the commit- 
tees and the officers thus dispossessed, several rooms under the 
old hall of the House of Representatives have been fitted up, and 
the folding department, formerly occupying these rooms, trans- 
ferred to the cellar below. 

The Speaker's room is now the southwest comer room of the 
Capitol. 



65 

Passing out of the Old Hall through the south door we enter 
the House Extension of the Capitol, 

The New Hall of Representatives 
is in the centre of that Extension. The chamber is 139 feet 
long, 93 feet wide, and 36 feet high. It has a gallery on its four 
sides capable of having crowded into it 1,200 persons. Portions 
are allotted to the diplomatic corps and reporters of the press. 
There are also divisions for the families of the Cabinet officers, 
Senators, and Eepresentatives ; the remainder is for visitors. 

The ceiling is of iron, gilded and bronzed, and is supported 
by trusses from the roof. Its centre is a skylight, panelled with 
glass ; in each -panel is painted the arms of a State. 

Seats for the members, with desks in front of them, are ranged 
in successive semicircles facing the Speaker's desk. In front of 
it sit the various clerks and phonographic reporters. 

A fuU length likeness of Washington, by Vanderlyn, which 
cost $2,500, is on one side of the Speaker'^ chair, and on the 
other side is a Ukeness of Gen. Lafayette, by Ary Scheffer, 
which was presented to Congress by the artist about 1824-25. 

A fresco by Brumidi, representing "Gen. Washington refusing 
Lord Cornwallis' request for an armistice at Yorktown, just be- 
fore the final surrender," occupies a portion of the wall west of 
the portrait of Lafayette. 

Two paintings by Bierstadt, one on each side of the Speaker's 
desk, also ornament the wall. One is the "First Landing of 
Henry Hudson," and the other the "Discovery of California." 

The artist received $10,000 for each. 

Corridors, paved with English Minton tiles, surround the Hall, 
and afford entrance to various rooms for the officers of the House 
and the use of committees. The rooms are accessible when the 
Committees are not in session. 



56 

Staircases of Tennessee marble on the east and west sides of 
the Hall lead to the galleries. 

On the wall, above the western staircase, is Leutze's picture of 
'* Western Emigration." Cost $20,000. 

At the foot of this staircase is a bust, in bronze, of a Chippewa 
Indian chief, ''The Buffalo." 

A large picture on canvas by F. B. Carpenter, "Lincoln's War 
Cabinet" or the ** Proclamation of Emancipation," occupies the 
same position above the eastern staircase. 

It was presented to the United States by Mrs. Elizabeth Thomp- 
son February 12, 1878, and cost $25,000. On the occasion of its 
acceptance the Hon. Alex. H. Stevens, Ex-Vice-President of the 
so-called Confederate States, was one of the orators appointed by 
Congress to receive the picture. 

At the foot of this staircase stands a statue of Thomas Jeffer- 
son, by Powers ; it cost $10,000. 

Various committee-rooms and rooms for newspaper and tele- 
graphic uses are situated in the upper story of the Extension, to 
which we now ascend. 

There is also from here access to the Library of the House, 
which occupies the story above the communicating corridor lead- 
ing from the Old Hall. 

Above the roof of the Hall is the illuminating vault of the 
House. Hundreds of gas-jets are placed above the pictured sky- 
light. They communicate with the electric apparatus by which 
the Rotunda and Dome is lighted. 

We will now descend to the ground-floor. This is occupied by 
committee-rooms, closets, bath and store-rooms, the folding- 
room. House Restaurant, etc., etc. 



57 

Of the Committee-rooms the most beautiful in ornamentation is 
that of the Committee on Agriculture. Artist, Signor Brumidi. 

The central hall of this floor is lined with scaglioni and adorned 
with monolith marble columns of great beauty. 

Beneath is the heating and ventilating apparatus. The engi- 
neer will explain how cool and hot air is forced into the building. 

The Ciypt. 
Beneath the Eotunda is the Cbtpt, so called from its resem- 
blance to the chambers of that name in cathedrals. It has nu- 
merous pillars, supporting groined arches, and is dimly lighted. 

The Tomb of W^ashington. 

Beneath the Crypt is a vaulted chamber, built to receive the 
remains of Gen. Washington and his wife. Visitors, upon appli- 
cation to the police of the Capitol, will be shown what is called 
the Tomb. 

Congress, in 1832, the centennial year of "Washington's birth, 
made application to the then owner of Mount Vernon to obtain 
the remains of the illustrious dead, to be placed here, but they 
were refused; the chamber, consequently, has since remained 
empty. 

The rooms once occupied by the Court of Claims are vacated. 
The Court has removed to the building of the Department of 
Justice, opposite the Treasury, 

The Library of Congress 
occupies the western projection of the original Capitol, and ac- 
cess is obtained to it from the llotunda by the west door. 

These beautiful halls were designed by Thos. U. Walter. 
They are of iron, including shelves ; the floors are laid with 
encaustic tiles; consequently all is fire-proof. The centre hall is 



58 

91 feet long, 34 feet wide, and 38 feet high. The side halls are 
95 feet long and 29| feet wide. 

The Library of Congress originated in 1800, and from that 
time until 1814 the number of volumes comprised about 3,000. 
It was destroyed by the British in that year, when they set fire 
to the Capitol. 

Mr. Jefferson's library, then considered one of the finest in 
the country, was purchased by Congress for $23,950 in 1815, and 
became the nucleus of a new collection, which, in 1851, com- 
prised 55,000 volumes. Dec. 25 of that year, a fire, originating 
from timbers carelessly exposed to flues, consumed 35,000 vol- 
umes, besides works of art, coins, etc., etc. 

The number of volumes in the Library in 1874 was 274,157 vol- 
umes and 50,000 pamphlets. Jan. 1, 1876, the volumes reported 
were 293,507, and (50,000 pamphlets. In 1888, the aggregate was 
600,000 volumes, besides about 200,000 pamphlets. 

Although designed especially for the use of Congress and 
Government officials, any visitor over sixteen years of age can 
obtain books to read, only in the Library, by filling one of the 
blanks to be found on the tables, and presenting it at the Libra- 
rian's desk. 

On the ground-floor, underneath the Supreme Court-room, is 
the law branch of the Library. The vestibule to this apartment 
is famous for its ornamentation of corn-stalk columns, with cap- 
itals of opening ears of corn. This room was once occupied by 
the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Supreme Court-Room of the United States. 
This chamber is situated in what was the north wing of the 
original Capitol, and occupies the eastern side of that portion of 
the building. It was the old United States Senate Chamber. It 
is semi-circular, 75 feet long, 45 feet high, and its greatest width 
45 feet. It is ornamented with columns of Potomac marble and 



has a dome ceiling. Around the semicircular wall are brackets^ 
on which are placed the busts of deceased Chief-Justices. The 
room is beautifully carpeted. 

The rooms in its vicinity are appropriated to the officers and 
judges of the Supreme Court. 

In the robing-roora hangs a portrait of Chief-Justice Marshall, 
by Rembrandt Peale, a companion-picture to his Washington. 
This portrait was presented to Chief- Justice Chase by the bar of 
New York, and at his death was bequeathed by him to the 
Supreme Court of the United States. 

In this room is also a portrait by Gilbert Stuart of the first 
Chief-Justice, John Jay, arrayed in a black-satin robe with broad 
scarlet facings. This picture was recently a gift to the Court by 
his grandson, John Jay, late minister to Austria. 

A portrait of Taney by Healy is also here, which was pre- 
sented by the Washington Bar Association. 

This room contains admirable specimens of antique furniture. 

Leaving the Supreme Court room, we pass into the Senate 
Extension, in the centre of which is the 

Senate Chamber. 

In general arrangement and appearance this Chamber resembles 
the HaU of Representatives, though smaller. It is 112 feet long 
and 82 feet wide. The desks of the Senators are of highly pol- 
ished mahogany. In the skylight are painted symbols of Pro- 
gress, the Union, the Army, the Navy, and the Mechanical Arts 

Immediately north of the Senate Chamber are three rooms of 
great beauty ; the most westerly one is 

The President's Room. 
Dimensions, 23 feet 2 inches by 21 feet 8 inches, with a cano- 
pied ceiling. The whole room is elaborately decorated in fresco 



60 

and distemper. On the walls are the portraits of President 
Washington and his Cabinet. The ceiling is covered with alle« 
gorical illustrations of Eeligion, Liberty, Executive Power, and 
Legislative Authority, with portraits of Columbus, Americus 
Vespucius, Wm. Brewster, and Benj. Franklin. The floor is 
tiled, but in winter is covered with a rich carpet. In this room 
towards the close of a session of Congress the President affixes 
his signature to bills. 

The Marble Room. 
The walls of this room are of jDolished Tennessee marble and 
plate-glass. Four Corinthian columns of Italian marble support 
the ceiling. Its length is 38 feet 7 inches, 19^ feet high, and 
width 21 feet 8 inches. It is used as a retiring-room by the 
Senators. 

The Vice-President's Room 

is of the same size as the President's, but the walls are unadorned. 
It is beautifully furnished, and here is hung Rembrandt Peale's 
celebrated Ukeness of Washington, which adorned the old Senate 
Chamber, and cost, in 1832, $2,000. Vice-President Wilson died 
in this room October, 1875. 

Ladies' Reception Room. 
This is elaborate in ornamentation, and its purpose is to pro- 
vide a place where ladies may obtain interviews with Senators, 
ft is situated east of the three rooms last described, and next it 
:s the room of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, and also 

The Senate Post-Office. 

This is admirably furnished for use. The ceiling was painted 
by Brumidi at a cost of $5,000. On it is represented History, 
Geography, Physics, and the Telegraph. 

We will now enter the hall leading to the east Senate Exten- 
sion Portico, and arrive at 



61 

The Crawford Bronze Door. 

This door illustrates Revolutionary and Federal history, and 
cost for models $6,000; for casting, $50,495.11. One valve is 
War and the other Peace. 

At the top of the War valve is the *' Battle of Bunker Hill and 
Death of Warren, 1775." The next panel is the "Battle of Mon- 
mouth and Rebuke of Gen. .Charles Lee, the traitor, 1778." 
Then, again, below is "Yorktown — the gallantry of Hamilton, 
1781 ;" and at the bottom of the door is a Hessian soldier in death 
struggle with an American. 

At the foot of the Peace valve is an allegorical representation 
of the blessings of Peace. Then, above it, is the "Ovation to 
Washington at Trenton, 1789." Next above that, "The First 
Inauguration of President Washington, 1789;" and in the top 
panel is pictured " The Laying of the Corner-stone of the United 
States Capitol, September 3, 1793." 

The door was cast at Chicopee, Mass., by James T. Ames. 

Above the door is a group in marble of History and Justice. 

The Senate Extension Portico, 
of which this is the door, has over its centre, in detached figures, 
an illustration of the "Progress of American Civilization and 
the Decadence of the Indian Races." 

The centre figure is America. On her right [south] stands a 
soldier ; next him is Commerce — a merchant ; then comes 
Youth — two boys ; Education succeeds — a schoolmaster, with a 
boy pupil ; next, a Mechanic, resting against a wheel ; and then are 
an Anchor and a Wheat Sheaf, which fill the rapidly narrowing 
space of the pediment. 

On the left [north] of America is a Pioneer settler chopping 
a tree ; then a H'.mter ; next him sits an Indian chief ; beside 



(J2 

him is au ludiau womau with a babe ; and then, again, filling up 
the narrow space on this side, is an Indian grave. These figures 
were modelled by Crawford. He was paid for them, including 
the cost of Justice and History, $20,000. The additional cost 
for cutting amounted to $29,160. 

We will now return to the interior of the Senate extension, 
nud traverse again the beautiful hall, adorned with pillars and 
lined with scaglioni marble, communicating with the Portico. 

Opposite the Senate Post Office [south] is the room of the 
OFFiciAii Keporteks OF THE Senate. It is fitted up especially to 
aid the corps of gentlemen engaged in this work, and is also a 
very beautiful apartment. 

At the foot of the east staircase of the Senate is a statue of 
Franklin, by Hiram Powers; cost $10,000. 

On the wall hangs Powell's picture of the Battle ol Lake 
Erie, September 10, 1813 ; cost $25,000. 

Ascending the stairs, we find magnificent corridors, paved with 
encaustic tiles, surrounding three sides of the Senate galleries. 

In this story, in a vestibule opposite the entrance to the ladies' 
gallery, hang two pictures by Thomas Moran, on canvas, of the 
Canon of the Yellowstone and the Canon of the Colorado. 
Each cost $10,000. 

II Penserosa. 

A beautiful female figure in marble, purchased by the Joint 
Committee on the Library, by Mozier, cost. $2,000, is also placed 
here. 

In the wide corridor north of this Vestibule are two pictures 
on canvas, one is an 

Equestrian likeness of Gen. Scott by the late Edward Troye. 
It was ordered for the purpose of being placed in the Military 
Institute of Virginia at Lexington, and the artist was to have 



63 

received $25,000 for it, but it was not completed imtil the fah 
of 18G1. After the secession of Virginia the picture was left 
unpaid for in the possession of Mr. Troye, who long vainly 
endeavored to procure its purchase by the Federal Government. 

There was a special house erected at West Point for the artist 
to work in. General Scott seleeted the horse, position, time, 
uniform, and equipments, and sat for the artist almost daily for 
several months. The scene is laid at Chapultepec. 

The other is a full-length portrait of Henry Clay, by Neagle. 
Cost $1,500. 

This picture was painted at the instance of certain friends of 
Mr. Clay, and it was supposed the legislature of his State would 
pay for it. This expectation was not realized, and the artist 
died without receiving any remuneration. It was purchased by 
the Joint Committee of the Library from the artist's son. Mr. 
Clay, it is said, regarded this picture as an excellent likeness, and 
was disappointed because it was not purchased at once by his 
friends. 

Committee-rooms surround the various corridors. 

The illuminating loft of the Senate Chamber is reached by a 
stairway continued above the west staircase of the Senate Exten- 
sion. The " Wilson Patent Electric Gas-lighter," which consists 
in the application of the "spark," is in use. The illuminating 
process differs from that by which the Rotunda and House is 
lighted. 

Over the west staircase of the Senate, which is of white mar- 
ble, hangs the picture of The Storming of Chapultepec, by 
James Walker ; cost $G,000. This picture was originally 
painted for a panel in the Committee-room of Military Afifairs of 
the House, and doubtless will eventually be placed there. 

At the foot of this staircase is a statue of John Hancock, by 
Dr. Stone; cost $5,500. 



64 

The rooms on the west side of the corridor on the main floor, 
which we have again reached, are appropriated to the clerks of 
the Senate. 

Ground Floor of the Senate Extension. 

This, like the same story of the House Extension, contains a 
Restaurant, Bath and Committee-rooms, etc., etc. The walls 
of the corridors on this side, however, are profusely decorated 
with paintings, viz., busts of distinguished Americans, flowers, 
fruits, and animals, besides frescoes of historical events, etc. It 
would require weeks of inspection to enable the visitor to attain 
anything like an intelligent appreciation of their variety and ex- 
cellence. 

The Room op the Committee on Naval Affaies is especially 
of surpassing beauty. It is literally covered, ceiling and walls, 
with pictures and figures relating to the marine. 

The Room of the CoMivniTEE on Military Affaies is also 
profusely decorated. The pictures are illustrative of military 
service, and several of the famous battles of the Revolution are 
painted on the walls. A visitor should not neglect, if possible, 
to see these two rooms. 

Beneath this story is the heating and ventilating apparatus, by 
means of which the Senate is heated and cooled. To many this 
is a most interesting portion of the Capitol to visit, and strangers 
are invariably treated with politeness and their questions an- 
swered by the employes in charge. 

The Capitol Police. 

The Capitol police consists of a representative appointed from 
each State. The officers are a captain and throe lisutfaants. 

The duties are to preserve order within Iho Capito^ and 
grounds ; to protect the public property from injury ; enforce 



65 

all prescribed rules ; also to extend to visitors proper courtesies, 
and furnish them with all desired information. 

They are on duty day and night, and because of their constant 
supervision ladies can, vy^ithout fear of insult or molestation, 
wander at will anywhere throughout the building and grounds. 

Guides appointed by the Police Board are in constant attend- 
ance, and are not allowed to charge an excess of 50 cents an 
hour. 

History of the Building of the Capitol. 

The corner-stone of the Capitol was laid with Masonic ceremo- 
nies September 18, 1793, by Master Mason George Washington, 
President of the United States. 

The plan approved of was that of Doctor Wm. Thornton, born 
in the West Indies, an amateur civil engineer and draftsman. 
The practical architect first employed in its erection was Stephen 
Hallet, a Frenchman, who modified Thornton's plan and substi- 
tuted some features of his own, which displeased Thornton, who 
possessed the ear of the President, and eventually became a com- 
missioner. Hallet was dismissed, Hoban, the architect of the 
President's House, was then put in charge for a short period. 

An Englishman, Mr. George Hadfield, was afterwards em- 
ployed, and he, in conjunction with Hoban, succeeded in getting 
the north wing ready for occupation in 1800. The Senate, House 
of Representatives, Supreme Court, and Library were accommo- 
dated in the one wing. 

Mr. Hadfield, however, became discontented and resigned his 
position. In 1803, Mr. Henry B. Latrobe, an Englishman of 
Huguenot descent, was his successor, and by him the south wing 
was completed. In 1814 the British burned out the two wings. 
The space now occupied by the Rotunda, up to that period, was 



66 

only a wooden scaffolding, which united the two portions of the 
building. 

Latrobe was employed to rebuild the wings, and also to design 
and erect the Kotunda and Dome. Becoming dissatisfied, he 
resigned in 1817. Mr, Charles Bulfinch, of Boston, an American, 
was his successor. 

The foundation of the Kotunda was laid March 2, 1818. The 
Capitol, including the Kotunda and the first low-arched Dome, 
was considered finished in 1827. Mr. Bulfinch, after accomplish- 
ing his work, returned to Boston. 

The corner-stone of the Extension was laid in 1851, July 4. 
Daniel Webster made the oration. Mr. Thomas U. Walter, of 
Pennsylvania, designed and erected the Extension (north and 
south) and the new Dome. The architect in charge is Mr. 
Edward Clark, formerly a pupil of Mr. Walter. The cost of the 
Capitol to present date has been about $15,000,000. 

The Botanical Garden, 

for many years under the eflQcient superintendence of Mr. Wm. 
K. Smith, is immediately west of the Capitol, lying between 
Maryland and Pennsylvania avenues. It contains a conservatory 
800 feet long. There are, besides, ten smaller conservatories. 
The first buildings were erected in 1850. This portion of Keser- 
vation No. 2 was very early, in intention, set apart for a Botanical 
Garden. It remained, however, as late as 1841), almost a swamp, 
a chief cause of ague around the Capitol. The tide still ebbs and 
flows here in a large sewer covering Tiber Creek. 

In the large conservatory grow, in splended variety, majestic 
palms and graceful ferns. Succulents, in large assortment, flour- 
ish here, with many botanical curiosities, viz : the banana, mango, 
camphor, Caffre bread, India-rubber, sugar cane, dumb cane of 



67 

South America, incense tree, bamboo, 20 varieties of passion 
flowers, coffee tree, cinnamon, black and betel peppers; in all 
about 4,000 species and varieties of botanical interest. 

The Bartholdi Fountain, so much admired at the Centennial 
Exhibition, was purchased by Governmeut for $6,000, and is 
placed here north of the large conservatory . 

RESERVATIONS. 

There were originally set apart for various purposes seventeen 
reservations, designated in the early maps by figures from 1 to 
17. Most of them still remain, with slight modifications, in pos- 
session of the Government. Their whole original area was 541 
acres 1 rood 29 perches. Their present area is about 513 acres. 

Res. I — The President's Grounds. — This includes the sur- 
roundings of the Executive Mansion, extending from Lafayette 
Square on the north to the mouth of Tiber creek, in the neigh- 
borhood of the Washington Monument. On it are the Presiden- 
tial Mansion, the Treasury, the War, Navy, and State Depart- 
ments. 83 acres 1 rood 22 perches. 

Res. 2 — The Capitol Grounds. — This is the Mall, with the 
East and West Capitol Parks ; its western line is 14th st. west. 
On it are the Capitol, the Botanical Garden, the Smithsonian 
Institution, and the Agricultural Department ; to this list we are 
sorry to add the depot of the Baltimore and Potomac railroad. 
Original area, 227 acres 8 perches. 

Res. 3— The Park. — Bounded by 14th st. west on one side 
and the Potomac river on the other. This reservation is occu- 
pied by the Washington Monument and the Government nurse- 
ries. 29 acres 3 roods 9 perches. Here, also, is located the 
building occupied by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 
This bureau was previously accommodated in the attic story of 
the Treasury Department. The new structui-e was designed by 



68 

Mr. J. G. Hill, the present (1879) Supervising Architect of the 
Treasury Department. Its estimated cost was $600,000; its 
actual expense has, however, somewhat exceeded that sura. 

Res. 4— The Universitt Square. — On this reservation is sit- 
uated the United States Naval Observatory. 21 acres 18 perches. 

Res. 5 — The Arsenal Grounds. — This is at the foot of 4^ st. 
west, and is the most southern portion of Washington City. In 
1857 this plat Avas extended by purchase. In the Penitentiary 
which stood here, but which has since been replaced by officers' 
quarters, the conspirators adjudged guilty of Mr. Lincoln's mur- 
der were tried, and afterwards hung within its walls. 

Res. 6 — West Market-Street Square. — This is at the foot 
of 20th and 2ist sts. west, and is now covered with water. 

Res. 7 — Centre Market Square. — Occupied by the principal 
market in the city ; 7th to 9th st. west, facing Penna. ave. 

Res. 8- National Church Square. — Now occupied by Patent 
Office. Area, 4 acres 22 perches. [See article. Patent Office, in 
this volume.] 

Res. 9— Judiciary Square. — The site of the Court House and 
now Pension Building. 

Res. lo. — North of Pennsylvania avenue, between 3d and 4^ 
sts. west. Congress unwisely granted to the corporation the privi- 
lege of selling this reservation in lots to pay for the removal of 
the canal and to fill up the low grounds. 

Res. II. — Between B and C sts. north and 2d and 3d sts. west. 
Disposed of for the same purpose as Kes. 10. 

Res. 12. — North of Pennsylvania avenue, between 2d and 3d 
Kts. west. Disposed of the same as Nos. 10 and 11. Area, 11 
acres 29 perches, of the reservations 10, 1 1, 12. 

Res. 13 — Hospital Square. — Between B and G sts. south, and 
19tb and the Anacostia east. Area, 77 acres 26 perches. On it 
are the Washington Asylum and District Jail. 




McPher 




Residence of British Ministe 



70 

Res. 14 — The Navy-Yaed. — Area, 12 acres 3 roods 15 perches. 

Res. 15 and 16— Eastern Makket-House Squares. — Near the 
Navy-yard, granted for market-house purposes. Area of the two 
reservations, 2 acres 1 rood 4 perches. 

Res. 17 — Town-House Square. — This is southeast of the Cap- 
itol, 3d St., and South Capitol st., where New Jersey, North Caro- 
lina, South Carolina, and Virginia avenues intersect, making an 
irregular plat with an area of 21 acres 1 rood 29 perches. The 
old Duddington Manor-House, the residence of the Carroll fam- 
ly, formerly fronted upon it. The Carroll spring, famous during 
the war times, is located here. 

SQUARES, Etc. 

There are a number of open squares in Washington City, be- 
sides those already alluded to as reservations ; most of them are 
formed by the diverging lines of avenues intersecting other ave- 
nues and streets ; they are of various sizes. 

Lying West of the Capitol. 

MoPherson Square is formed by the intersection of Vermont 
avenue, 15th, I and K sts. n. w.; area, 1 acre 2 roods. The 
equestrian statue of Gen. McPhersou is erected here. The cost 
of the pedestal on which it stands was $15,000. This sum was 
contributed by Government. The cost of the statue proper was 
defrayed by the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. 

Farragut Square is at the intersection of Connecticut avenue, 
17th, I and K sts. n. w.; area, the same as McPherson Square. In 
this square is placed the colossal statue of Admiral Farragut, for 
which $20,000 was voted by Congress, April 16, 1872. The 
statue is the work of Mrs. V. Eeam Hoxie. 

Massachusetts and Rhode Island avenues intersect N st. and 



71 

16th St. half a mile immediately north of the President's House, 
forming an open space of about an acre in extent. This square 
is known as Scott Place, and is noted for the colossal equestrian 
bronze statue of Gen. Scott, which occupies its centre. The 
statue was designed by H. K. Brown, of New York, and cast by 
Robert Wood & Co., of Philadelphia. It weighs 12,000 lbs., 
cost $20,000 ; weight of granite pedestal, over 320 tons. The 
cost of the pedestal was $53,000. 

Franklin Square is bounded by 13th and 14th sts. west and 
by I and K sts. north. Government purchased this plat in 1829, 
because of its containing a fine spring, from which the Presi- 
dent's House and Executive offices were supplied with water by 
pipes as early as 1832. The supply is still from this source. 

Rawlins Square, on New York avenue, southwest of the 
President's House, between 18th and 19th sts. n. w. Opposite 
the west wing of the Centre Market, Penna. Ave. and 9th st. n. w., 
is the bronze statue of Gen. John A. Rawlins, who died while 
Secretary of War. It cost $10,000. 

Mount Vernon Place, at the intersection of K and 8th sts. n. w. 
with Mass. and N. Y. avenues. A beautiful fountain occupies the 
centre. Until 1871 the Northern Market occupied this locality. 

Fourteenth-street Circle, at the intersection of Massachu- 
setts and Vermont avenues and 14th and M sts. n. w., is beauti- 
fully laid out, and the centre is now occupied by an equestrian 
statue of Major-General Geo. H. Thomas, contributed by the 
Society of the Army of the Cumberland. Government appropri- 
ated $25,000 for the pedestal on which the statue stands. The 
artist was Mr. J. Q. A. Ward ; cast by Bureau Brothers & Heatou, 
Phila.; sum paid by Army of the Cumberland, $40, 000. 

Iowa Circle, formerly called the Thirteenth-street Circle, is 
at the intersection of Vermont and Rhode Island avenues and 
P and 13th sts. n. w. 



73 

The Washington Circle is at the intersection of Pennsylva- 
nia and New Hampshire avenues and K and 23d sts. n. w., near 
Georgetown. Here is the equestrian bronze statue of Gen. 
Washington, by Clark Mills ; cost $50,000. Cast out of captured 
guns donated by Congress. 

DupoNT Clrcle is at the intersection of Connecticut, Massa- 
chusetts, and New Hampshire avenues, at 19th and P sts. n. w. 

The statue of Admiral Dupont is placed in the centre. 

Lying East of the Capitol. 

Stanton Place is at«the intersection of Md. and Mass. avenues 
at 5th St. n. e.; area, 3 acres 1 rood. An equestrian statue of 
Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Greene, by Henry K. Brown, stands within 
this space. The artist received $r)0,000. The Continental Con- 
gress voted a monument to Gen. Greene ; and this statue, after 
the lapse of almost a century, is the virtual fulfilment of that res- 
olution. It was put in position in 1877. 

Major-General Greene was a highly distinguished revolutionary 
soldier. After Boston was evacuated he was entrusted with the 
defence of Long Island, and appointed major-general. He was 
present at Trenton, at Princeton, and at Brandywiue ; and in the 
battle of Germantown he commanded the left wing which pene- 
trated into the village. At Monmouth, at Tiverton Heights, and at 
the battle of Springfield, he also rendered distinguished services. 
He was president of the court* of inquiry upon Major Andre, 
and was api^ointedto succeed Arnold at West Point, which com- 
mand he held but a few days. He succeeded General Gates in 
the command of the Southern army. Congress presented him 
with a gold medal and a British standard for the battle of Eutaw 
Springs, and two of the cannon taken from the enemy. North 
and South Carolina and Georgia made him valuable grants of 
jn'operty. He died at Mulberry Grove, on the Savauah river, 
Georgia, June 13, 1780. 



74 

LiNOOiiN Square is one mile directly east of the Capitol 
Massachusetts, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky ave- 
nues here intersect between 11th and 13th sts. Originally it 
was intended to erect an Historic Column on this spot, which 
was also to serve as a Mile or Itinerary Column, from which all 
geographical distances in the United States were to be measured. 
Instead, however, is placed here the bronze group of Emanci- 
pation, representing President Lincoln breaking the fetters of 
the slave, erected by the freedmen. Cost $17,000 ; inaugurated 
April 14, 1876 ; designed by Thomas Bell ; cast at Munich by 
Von MliUer, Jr. 

THE AVENUES. 

The avenues constitute a feature in the plan of Washington 
City calculated to confuse a stranger and to cause him at first to 
wonder much at their existence. 

An early authority says :* '' The positions for the different c li- 
fices, and for the several squares and areas, as laid down by the 
'Geographer General,' Andrew Ellicott, [the contemporary and 
successor of Major L'Enfant,] were first determined on the most 
advantageous ground, commanding the most extensive prospects, 
and the better susceptible of such improvements as either use or 
ornament may require. Lines of direct communication have been 
devised to connect t7ie most distant objects with the principal by a 
direct comm.unication with the main, and preserving through the 
whole a reciprocity of sight and the most favorable ground for 
convenience and prospect. " 

L'Enfant, the originator of the idea, had, without doubt, the 
approaches to the palace of Versailles in his thoughts when he 

* Jonathan Elliott in " Historical Sketches of the Ten Miles Square," pp. 
98.99- 



75 

conceived this feature in his plan of the Federal City, as in many 
respects they are almost a reproduction of the lines of those 
renowned allees. 

The avenues are named after twenty-one of the States. To 
the old original Thirteen are added the names of Vermont, ad- 
mitted 1791; Kentucky, 1792; Tennessee, 179G; Ohio, 1802; 
Louisiana, 1812 ; Indiana, 1816 ; Maine, 1820, and Missouri, 
1821. Of course the avenues named after the later States were 
not contemplated in the original draft, and their introduction 
has not been, in the opinion of several recent writers, any im- 
provement. 

To attempt to describe the course of the various avenues would 
bewilder rather than instruct the reader. A reference to a map 
of Washington can alone enable the visitor to obtain any intelli- 
gent idea of the lines of their various directions. It might be 
well, however, to contradict a general error, often ignorantly 
asserted, that the avenues all radiate from the Capitol or the 
President's House. Although many of them diverge from these 
prominent buildings, quite a number of avenues do not approach 
either of them. 

In 1871 Executive Avenue was devised. It encloses a portion 
of the grounds attached to the President's House, extending 
from 15^ to 1(5^ sts., and forms a semicircle south of the man- 
sion ; a broad single road starting from this centre, due south, 
enters the Drive opposite the Monument Grounds. 

The following Tables, politely furnished by a gentleman con- 
nected with the office of the Commissioners of the District, will 
give very desirable information relative to the streets and the 
avenues : 




Headquarters Richmond &; Danville R. R. Co. 



77 

Table Showing the Course and Width of the Avenues. 

Avenues. Width. Course. 

Delaware i6o ft. N. 15O44' E. 

New Jersey 160 " N. 15° 44' W 

Maryland, east of Capitol 160 " N. 62° 25' E 

Maryland, west of Capitol 160 " N. 7o°22'o9"E 

North Carolina ,. 160 " N. 62° 30' F. 

South Carolina 160 " N. 71° 13' 54" E 

Georgia 160 " N. 62° 30' E. 

Virginia, from Mall to Eastern Branch 160 " S. 70° 18' 05" E. 

Virginia, from Rock Creek to Potomac 120 " S. 55° 20' E. 

Pennsylvania, from President's House to U. S. 

Capitol 160 " S. 70° 33' 30" E. 

Pennsylvania, west from President's House to 

Rock Creek 130 " S. 66° E. 

Pennsylvania, from Capitol to Eastern Branch 160 " S. 62° 27' E. 

Kentucky 120 " S. 33° E. 

Tennessee 120 " N. 32° 25' E. 

New York, east of President's House 130 " N. 66^09' E 

New York, west of President's House 160 " N. 70° 27' E. 

Vermont 130 " N. 24° 31' 30'' £. 

Connecticut 130 " N. 24° 31' 30" W. 

Rhode Island 130 " N. 66° E. 

New Hampshire 120 " N. 36° 09' 14" E. 

Massachusetts, west of New Jersey avenue 160 " S. 66^03' E. 

Massachusetts, east of New Jersey avenue 160 " S. 62° 26' 08" E. 

Ohio 160 " 3.70° 18' E. 

Louisiana 160 " S. 70° 21' 36" W. 

Indiana 160 " S. 70° 23' 30" E. 

Missouri' 85 " S. 70° 33' 30" E. 

Maine 85." N. 70° 22' 09" E. 



As a general nile, until within a few years the Public Buildings 
were accessible daily to visitors from 9 A. M. to 3 P. M. The 
increase of service demanded in the various Departments has 
caused some change in this arrangement, and the following regu- 



78 

lations, subject perhaps to slight temporary changes dependent 
upon an increase of work in a particular Bureau or Department, 
are now observed. A knowledge of them will enable a stranger 
who is pressed for time to plan his round of visits with greater 
satisfaction to himself : 

The Capitol is open during daytime every day excepting Sun- 
day, and at night time when Congress has a night session. The 
Congressional Library from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M. , and the Botan- 
ical Gardens every week day. 

The President's Hodse. — The East-Room is open every week 
day from 10 A. M. to 3 P. M. 

We will mention the other more important places in alphabet- 
ical order : 

Agricultural Building is open from 9 A. M. to 3 P . M. ; 
also, the Army Medical Museum. Arlington Cemetery is open 
every day, Sunday included. 

Corcoran Akt-Gallery, 17th st. and Pennsylvania avenue 
n. w., is open daily from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. Mondays, Wednes- 
days, and Fridays are -pay days. The three other days, admission 
is free. 

Insane Asylum is open on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 P. M. 

Interior Department, including the Model-Room, Patent 
Ofi&ce, is open daily from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M. The Department 
OF Justice is also open until 4 P. M. 

Navy Department is open daily from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M, The 
N'avy Yard is open daily from 9 A. M. to sunset. 

Smithsonian Institution, open daily from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M. 

Soldiers' Home is open daily from 9 to dark. Carriages ad- 
mitted to the grounds 

State Department, open daily, except on Thursdays, (appro- 
priated to foreign diplomats,) from 10 A. M. to 2 P. M. 

Treasury Department is open from 9 A. M. to 2 P. M. 

War Department is open from 9 A. M. to 3 P. M. 




Executive Mansion, South Front. 



80 
PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. 

The Fresidsnt's House is about a mile and a half from the 
Capitol, in a direction west by north. It stands between 15th 
and 17ih sts. n. w., on a high plateau, where Pennsylvania and 
New York avenues intersect, and fronting it is Lafayette Square. 
It is built of a yellowish freestone painted white, and is popu- 
larly known as The White House. 

It is two stories high, 170 feet long, and 86 feet wide, with a 
portico on the north, supported by eight pillars, under which 
carriages can drive. The south front has a semicircular colon- 
nade of six columns in the centre. A conservatory adjoins the 
house on the west. 

The building is said to have been modelled after the palace of 
the Duke of Leinster, in Dublin. The architect was James 
Hoban, an Irishman, who came to Washington from Charleston, 
South Carolina. 

First Floor. 

The north door opens into a vestibule 40 by 50 feet, divided by 
a sash screen ; within the screen are portraits of several Presidents 
of the United States. Throughout the Mansion are portraits of 
all the ex-Presidents, excepting Buchanan and Johnson. 

The East-Room, occupying the eastern side of the house, is 80 
by 40 feet, and 22 feet high. The ceiUng is divided into three 
panels, beautifully decorated. The chandeliers, mirrors, and 
furniture are of the most elegant description. It is, as a rule, 
accessible to the pubhc. Here, in 1879, is temporarily placed 
the magnificent portrait of Martha Washington by E. F. Andrews. 

Adjoining the East-Room, west, is the Gbeen-Room, facing 
the south, so called from the dominant color of its furniture, all 
of which is exceedingly beautiful ; 30 by 20 feet. 

Then succeeds the Blue-Room. This is of oval shape, with 
windows looking southward ; and, as its name indicates, is fur- 



81 

nished in blue and gold; 40 by 30 feet. This is the room in 
which, at levees, the President receives his guests. 

The room next, still facing south, which brings you gradually 
towards the western side of the house, is the Red-Room. This 
room is used more commonly by the presidential family, and 
has somewhat of a home look about it ; 30 by 20 feet. 

Then, in the southwest portion of the house, is the Staii 
DiNiNG-RooM, 40 by 30 feet. This is fitted up in admirable 
style, and is only used on state occasions. The private dining- 
room is north of the state dining-room. 

Second Floor. 

The east part is occupied by the Executive offices, ante-rooms, 
nnd the President's Office. In this last the Cabinet meets. It 
is spacious, and commands a beautiful view looking south. Ad- 
joining it is the library. The rooms occupied by the family are 
in the south and western portions of the house, and are mainly 
used as bed-chambers. 

Basement Floor, 

This contains the kitchens, servants' quarters, store-rooms, 
and depositories for coal, etc. 

History. 

The corner-stone of the President's House was laid October 13, 
1792; architect, James Hoban. It was first occupied in 1800, 
by President John Adams, but was then in an unfinished condi- 
tion. The building cost, up to 1814, $333,207. August 24, of 
that year, the President's House was burned by the British. It 
was authorized to be rebuilt in 1815. Mr. Hoban was again 
charged with its erection, according to the original plan, and its 
re-erection cost $301,490.2.'*, It was first again occupied by 
President Monroe. „ 



82 

The Stables and Conservatory attached to the President's 
House cost 172,079.82. 

Lafayette Square. 

his beautiful square is in front (north) of the White House, 
and includes seven acres. Two bronze vases, the copy of an 
antique, seven feet high, and weighing each 1,300 lbs., ornament 
the grounds. 

The Equestrian Statue of Gen. Andrew Jackson, designed 
and cast by Clark Mills, is also here. The Jackson Monument 
Association subscribed $12,000, and Congress granted captured 
guns for the casting of this statue ; afterwards other appropria- 
tions were made, including a sum of^$20,000, the whole nett- 
ing about $50,000. Its w^eight is 15 tons. 

THE STATE DEPARTMENT 

is located in the south section of the magnificent structure known 
as the State, War, and Navy Departments Building ; the War 
and Navy Departments occupying the east, north, west, and cen- 
tre of the building. Mr. A. B. Mullet, late Supervising Architect 
of the Treasury, designed the building, which is situated west 
of the President's House. Open from 9 A. M. to 2 P. M., daily, 
except on Friday — Diplomatic Day — and Sunday. 

It is 342 feet from east to west, including projections, etc., 
and 567 feet from north to south. The style is the Italian re- 
naissance ; the material cf which it is built is granite, brought 
from Maine and Virginia ; the roof is mansard. The building 
was begun in 1871. 

The interior is superbly finished and furnished, and there are 
documents, etc., deposited here of great interest. 

On the second floor are the Reception-room, the Diplomatic 



III"" •"■ ' 



iiii ■mm 



11 Itwf f i! 



f i!! W 







illil 



iiljllpll '' 

i-iMiir" * 




85 

Corps ante-room, the room of the Secretary of State, to 
which is nlso attached an ante-room, and the rooms of the As- 
sistant Secretaries and Chief Clerk. 

In the ante-room attached to the Secretary's room are portraits 
of all the Secretaries, from Jefferson to the present incumbent. 

In the ante-room for the use of the Diplomatic Corps is a por- 
trait of the Bey of Tunis, presented by himself to Mr, Seward. 

The original Declaration of Independence is in charge of tLi.s 
Department. 

The Library, embracing the most complete and valuable col- 
lection of works on diplomacy in America, is in the third story, 
over the south entrance. There are extensive files in the Depart- 
ment of American newspapers from 1781. 

THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 

is on the east side of the President's House. 

It has four fi'onts, each facing a point of the compass. These, 
including porticos and steps, measure 582 feet by 300 feet. 
The front first built was the east front ; it is of Virginia free- 
stone, and presents an extended colonnade. Mr. Kobert Mills 
was the architect of this portion of the building. The rest is of 
granite from Dix Island, Maine. 

The west, north, and south fronts correspond with each other, 
having each a central projecting portico. The architects, W;ilt jr, 
Young, Rogers, and Mullet, were all engaged on this splendid 
edifice. The cost, as stated in a recent report, is $0,837,722.28. 

The Treasury contains 195 rooms, to which is to be added 
those in the sub-basement, used for store-rooms, 8hoi:)s, and 
those attached to the heating apparatus. 

The Cash-Room is the most beautiful of any in the Treasury, 
and well worth a visit. The display of foreign marbles in this 
room is very fine, but to an American it would bo more satisfac- 
tory had they been of native origin. 



8G 

The Vaults are of steel and chilled iron : they are situated in 
the northeast part of the Treasury. They are about 15 by 20 
feet in size. Two of them are in the basement. 

Photograph Office. This is a small cottage-like looking build- 
ing opposite the south front of the Treasury. Here are photo- 
graphed fac similes of accounts, plans and elevations of public 
Ijuildings, etc., etc. 

Coast Survey. 

This building is private property, although built for the spe- 
cial service of this office. It is south of the Capitol, on New 
Jersey avenue, between B and C sts. , and is an imposing brick 
structure. 

The object of this office is " thp survey of the coasts of the 
United States on tide- water." It originated in 1807, but its 
actual organization was completed in 1833. 

The standards of weights and measures are kept here, under 
the care of the Superintendent. The Coast Survey is attached 
to the Treasury Department, Its duties, however, are mainly 
discharged ''by officers of the army and navy, with the assist- 
ance of scientific civilians." 

History. 

In 1814 the U. S. Treasury shared the general fate of the pub- 
lic buildings, and was burned on the invasion of the city. The 
structure again erected for its use occupied the site of the south- 
ern portion of the present edifice ; it was, however, consumed 
by fire March 31, 1833. It is said President Jackson indicated 
with his cane the site of the existing structure. In 1836 it was 
commenced, and made ready to be occupied in 1841. In 1855 
the Extension was begun. The north front was the last one 
completed. At some future time the east f a9ade will probably be 
replaced by another conforming with the rest of the edifice. 



87 



THE WAR DEPARTMENT. 

The different bureaus of the War Department are mainly lo- 
cated in the new State, War, and Navy Departments Building, 
facing on Seventeenth street and Pennsylvania and Executive 
avenues. The building cost $10,750,000 ; was begun in 1871 
and completed in 1887 ; covers 4j acres, has two miles of cor- 
ridors, contains t^Qij rooms, 5 elevators, and all the modern con- 
veniences. What is termed the ' ' first floor " is the floor to which 
the grand entrance or porch leads. There is a basement and a 
sub-basement story. The office of the Secretary of War is in 
the west wing. The Adjutant General, the Quartermaster Gen- 
eral, the Commissary General, the Paymaster General, and the 
Surgeon General are occupants of the building. Also, the Ord- 
nance and Engineer Bureaus. 

The Signal Office is on the corner of Twenty-fifth and M 
streets N. W. 

Winder's Building, 

corner of Seventeenth and F streets n. w., was originally built 
for a hotel, but was purchased and fitted up for the use of Gov- 
ernment at an expense of .$246,051.78. It is used by the Second 
Auditor of the Treasury. 

The Army Medical Museum 

is on the corner of Seventh and B streets s. w., east of the Na- 
tional Museum. The museum in the east vom^ contains exhibits 
of wounds and diseases, and to the medical student it is inter- 
esting beyond description. The clerks of a Division of the Sur- 
geon General's Office are located on the first floor, west wing, 
and centre. Exhibit of army medical supplit k, east wing. The 



88 

buildings in the court are used for anatomical pnposes and ma- 
chinery. The library, which is on the second floor, west wing, 
contains over 2,000 volumes and pamphlets on medical subjects, 
and is used in connection with the compilation of the Index Cata- 
logue, which will make the most complete publication of the 
kind in the world. 

The Army Medical Museum was formerly located on lOth 
street, between E and F streets, in the building known as Ford's 
Theatre, in which President Lincoln was assassinated. 

The Washington Barracks 

(formerly the Arsenal) is located at the foot of 4^ street. The 
grounds are beautifully laid out, and many objects of interest 
are open for inspection. As early as 1803 it was a military 
station, and in 1814 it was one of the places destroyed by the 
British. In 1815, under Col. George Bomford, it was rebuilt. 
Now used as an artillery station. 

The conspirators adjudged guilty of Mr. Lincoln's mui-der were 
tried, and afterwards hung, within the walls of the old Peniten- 
tiary, which stood on these grounds. 

SOLDIER'S HOME. 

This institution is, in object, somewhat similar to that of the 
Hotel des Intalides at Paris. To Gen. Wiufield Scott is the mili- 
tary service indebted, in great part, for the suggestion and en- 
dowment of the Soldiers' Home. 

March 3, 1851, not long after the termination of the Mex- 
ican war, Congress donated $118,719, the unused balance in the 
Treasury of the sum levied by Gen. Scott on the City of Mexico, 



f"! '''Illfif 







Soltliers' Hoiiur. 



90 

to aid in the establishment of the Home. To this sum is added 
forfeitures, stoppages, and fines, and a tax of 12 cents a month 
(formerly 25 cents) on each private soldier. 

The main building is of marble, 200 ft. front. There are also 
several beautiful marble cottages, the residences of the officers, 
and the former Riggs homestead, clustered near it. 

In summer-time Presidents Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln, Hayes, 
and Arthur resided here. President Cleveland also spends a 
portion of the v^arm weather at this beautiful retreat. 

A new hospital has been erected within the grounds. 

There is here, on the brow of the hill, a bronze statue of Oen. 
Scott, 10 ft. high, facing the city, by Launt Thompson, erected 
by the Home in 1874 ; cost $18,000. 

The grounds embrace 500 acres, and are most beautifully laid 
out. The drive within the enclosure extends 7 miles. 

Disabled private soldiers of the regular army are entitled to the 
benefits of the Home; during their stay their pensions are 
stopped. 

The Home is three miles north of the Capitol. The tower of 
the main building affords the most beautiful of views, the Capi- 
tol being a main feature in the landscape. On a clear day the 
top of Sugar-Loaf mountain can be discerned in the far distance. 

Horse-cars connect with, and convey passengers from, the 
terminus of the Seventh-street route to within a short distance 
of the Home. 

National Military Cemetery. 

This burial-place adjoins the Soldiers' Home ; established in 
1861. It is a sad memorial of the war; 5,153 Union and 271 
Confederate dead are interred here. The names of 279 of them 
ore unknown. 



91 




■^iiSslSg^^' 



The Garfield Statue 

Is regarded by the sculptor, Mr. J. Q. A. Ward, as one of his 
most successful achievemeuts. It is a more pretentious and ornate 
work of art in its entirety than are the other monuments in this 
city. Its position is a commanding one, being situate in the 
small circle at the intersection of First street and Maryland 
avenue, adjoining the Capitol grounds to the west, and is seen 
to fair advantage from the Capitol and surrounding grounds and 
from the intersecting sti-eets. 

Thestatuerises thirty feet into the air and surmounts a broad 



92 

and shapely granite base and graceful pedestal. Three sides of 
the shaft are inscribed as follows : 

South face: James A. Garfield, 1831—1881. On the south- 
east face: Major General, U. S. V.; Member of Congress; 
Senator and President of the United States of America. On the 
north face : Erected by his Comrades of the Society of the Army 
of the Cumberland, May 12, 1887. 

Surrounding the base of the pedestal are three life-size recum- 
bent figures of bronze, representing the three types of manhood 
so well represented by Garfield — those of student, warrior and 
statesman— scholar, soldier and orator— or as the sculptor prefers 
to state it, the three attributes — of wisdom, force and patriotism. 

These figures in sitting postures occupy the three corners of 
the triangular base of the pedestal. Above each of them is an 
emblematic shield-shaped tablet appropriate to the figure beneath, 
and each also executed in bronze. Above the figure of the stu- 
dent the emblematic shield bears the book and globe of school 
■days. The shield over the soldier's head bears the emblematic 
sword and trumpet. That over the statesman is ornamented 
with the scales of justice and the laurel wreath of fame. Sur- 
rounded by the recumbent figures rises the circular granite shaft 
encircled by sculptured bauds of laurel leaves and sprays of 
buck-eyes. 

This pedestal is eighteen feet in height, and surmounting it 
is the bronze statue of James A. Garfield, heroic in size, erect 
and commanding in attitude. The figure is ten feet six inches 
in height, and weighs 5,000 pounds. It represents Gai-field prior 
to the time of his election to the Presidency and when in the 
height of physical strength and force. He is in the attitude of 
an orator, the sculptor's aim being to reproduce with the most 
lifelike accuracy the position in which he customarily stood 
when addressing the House, although the statue may equally 
well be regarded as repi'esentiug him in the act of delivering his 
inaugural address on March 4, 1881. 



93 

NAVY DEPARTMENT. 

The Secretary of the Navy, Hydrographic Off., Library, Bur. 
Equipm't and Kecruiting, Bur. Med. and Surgery, Bur. Const'n 
and Repair, Ch'f Cl'k Dept., Judge Adv. Genl., Naval Academy, 
Disb'g Cl'k and Supt., Records, Ch'f of Bur. of Navigation and 
Off. of Detail, Bur. Steam Engineering, Bur. Yards and Docks, 
Bur. Provisions and Cloth'g, Bur. of Ordnance, File and Record 
Rooms, and Log-Books are all located in the south half of the 
east section of the State, War, and Navy Department structure. 



The Admiral's Office is at his residence, 1710 H street n. w. 

The Nautical Almanac Office, also a branch of the Bureau 
of Navigation, is No. 9G-102 Corcoran Building. 

The service of the Naval Department is divided into eight 
Bureaus, viz : Ordnance, Equipment and Recruiting, Yards and 
Docks, Navigation, Medicine and Surgery, Provisions and Cloth- 
ing, Steam Engineering, and Construction and Repair. 

National Observatory. 

On a hill 9G feet high, southwest from the President's House, 
on the Potomac river, is situated the National Observatory, near 
the 8. w. terminus of New York avenue. 

This hiU, long ago, was known as Peter's mil, having belonged 
to Mr, Robert Peter, one of the original proprietors. It was 
also called Gamp Hill, because the forces of Gen. Braddock en- 
camped here previous to starting on the ill-fated expedition ol 
I7;").5; and in 18U the troops mustered to defend Washington 
were stationed here. It was embraced within the proposed town 
of Hamburg or Funkstown, laid out and lots therein sold years 
before the Federal city was devised, and the titles to which be- 
came sources of annoyance to the early commissioners. 



94 

Gen. Washington was desirous of having a national university 
established here. [See Reservation No. 4.] 

The Observatory is under the direction of the Navy Depart- 
ment, and belongs to the Bureau of Navigation. It was estab- 
lished in 1842. The central building was completed in 1844. 
Its present rank is among the foremost in the world. There is 
here, mounted in 1873, the most powerful telescope ever made, 
the "Great Equatorial ;" cost $47,000. It weighs, including its 
base, six tons. The cost of the iron dome erected to cover it 
was $14,000. 

The Naval Hospital 

is between 9th and 10th sts., on Pennsylvania avenue east ; it is 
attached to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the Navy De- 
partment, and is for the benefit of the officers and men of the 
Navy and the Marine Corps. Cost $116,935.33. 

Navy-Yard. 

At the southern terminus of 8th st. east is the entrance to the 
Washington Navy- Yard. It lies along the banks of the Ana- 
costia. 

Dec. 30, 1799, Hon. Benj. Stoddard, Secretary of the Navy, 
ordered the grounds to be laid out. The yard was formally es- 
tablished by act of March, 1804. The grounds occupy about 27 
acres. 

It contains a large number of trophies connected with our 
naval encounters, and is well worth a visit. 

The Museum, open from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M., is full of objects 
of interest. There is here a Spanish gun which Cortez used in 
his conquest of Mexico, obtained during our Mexican war, and a 
smaU mortar captured from Lord CornwaUis, etc., etc. 

The Wasp, the Argus, the Viper, the Shark and Grampus, 
the sloop St. Louis, 24 guns, and frigates Columh'a, Essex, Po- 



95 

tomnC; and Brandywine, of 44 guns each, and the Columbus, of 
74 guns, were built here. Recently the yard has been more 
prominent for its manufacture of naval supplies than for naval 
construction. Its workshops are extensive. 

The Marine Barracks 
are of brick, and occupy the whole of square 927, a short distance 
north of the entrance to the Navy- Yard, on 8th st. , between G and 
I sts. s.e. 

The barracks were burnt in 1814 by the British, but were im- 
mediately rebuilt. The architect was Mr. Latrobe. Cost $335,- 
G3G.81. 

The Marine Corps, created in 1798, is an adjunct to the Navy. 
The headquarters are in Washington. The force consists of a 
Commandant holding the rank of brigadier-general, 1 colonel, 2 
lieutenant-colonels, 4 majors, 20 captains, with a larger number 
of lieutenants, and about 2,500 men. 

POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 

This building occupies the whole square between 7th and 8th 
and E and F sts. n. w., and is opposite the Patent Office. It 
is of white marble, from New York and Maryland quarries, 
and is of a modified Corinthian order of architecture. It 
is said to be the best representation of the Italian palatial in 
America, and recalls remembrance of a Florentine palace. It 
measures 300 feet north and south, and 204 feet east and west. 
It cost, up to 187G, $1,85.5,889.59. 

In the centre of the front facing 8th st., over the carriage gate- 
way, is an interesting specimen of carving, representing "the 
railroad and the telegraph." 

The Postmaster-General's Office is in the story above the 
basement, on the south side 




Insane Asylum. 



97 

The Dead-Letteb Office is on the north side. To enter this 
requires a pass, which is easily obtained from the Chief Clerk. 
The City Post-Offtoe is on Louisiana avenue, east of 7th st. 

History. 

The site of the south side of the Post-Office Department was, 
early in the history of Washington city, occupied by a brick 
building, projected by Samuel Blodgett, an unsuccessful specu- 
lator, for a hotel. It was to be 120 ft. long, 50 ft. wide, and 
three stories high. James Hoban was architect. The comer- 
stone was laid in 1 793, and the plan approved by the commis 
sioners. 

It "was put up," as Watterson states, " out of the proceeds of 
a lottery authorized to be drawn, but not completed. The own- 
ers of the prize ticket were orphan children, who, not having 
the means of completing the building, suffered it to remain in 
an unfinished and dilapidated state." It was here the first theat- 
rical entertainments were given in the national Capital. 

In 1810 it was bought by Government, and plainly finished. 

Congress, in 1814-'15, after the burning of the Capitol, held 
one session here ; and in the second story the Patent Office was 
for years accommodated. The lower story was occupied by the 
General and City Post-Offices until Dec. 15, 1836, when the build- 
ing was destroyed by fire. Private buildings were then rented 
for the immediate need. 

In 1839 the south portion of the present building was com- 
menced by Robert Mills. Government bought the north half of 
the square to F st. in 1842. In 1855 the new Extension was be- 
gun. The designs were made by Thomas U. Walter, architect 
of the Capitol, and executed by Capt., now Gen. M. 0. MeigR, 
nd Edward Clark, architect. 



98 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
Patent Office. 

The Patent Office- building, in which much of the work con- 
nected with the Department of the Interior is performed, covers 
two squares — from 7th to 0th sts. and from F to G sts n. w. It 
measures 410 feet from east to west, and 275 feet from north to 
south. It is Doric in architecture, and in the original plan of 
the city the ground on which it stands was reserved for the 
building of a grand National Church. 

The present structure was commenced in 1837. The south 
front — built of freestone, painted white — was the earhest built : 
designed by Wm. F. Elliot, and executed by Kobert Mills. The 
east wing was authorized in 1849, was commenced by Mr. Mills, 
who was succeeded, in 1851, by Edward Clark, then assistant to 
the architect of the Capitol, by whom the building was com- 
pleted in 18(54. The new jDortions are of Maryland marble on 
the street extensions and granite on the interior quadrangle. 
The building contains.-about 191 rooms, and cost $2,700,000. 

Four halls on the second floor compass the whole building. 



In December, 1836, a fire consumed the building then occupies 
by the Patent Office, situated where the General Post Office now 
stands. The models accumulated during 4G years were all de- 
stroyed. The patents to that date numbered 10,301 . From July 
4, 1836, to July 4, 1876, there were issued 179,638 patents. 

Another fire occurred here September 24, 1877, in which many 
thousands of models were destroyed. The greater portion of the 
upper story of the whole building was mainly burned out. 

In this building is the office of the Secretary of the Interior, 
who has charge of affairs ' ' connected with patents, public lands, 



101 

pensions, Indians, census, education, and beneficiary asylums 
in the District; and he has also supervisory control over the 
architect of the Capitol." The immense structure is not large 
enough to accommodate all the offices connected with the De- 
partment, and several rented buildings have been brought|into 
its service. 

The Bureau of Education is located at the corner of G and 
8th sts. n. w.. opposite the north front of the Patent Office. 
The Department of Education was created March 2, 1867. Its 
design is to collect statistics and facts showing the condition 
and progress of education in the States and Territories. In 1868 
it was reduced to a bureau, called the " Office of Education." 

Survey of the Territories.— Office on 7th St., between E and 
F sts. n. w. Here information can be obtained relative to the 
surveys in the far West, and photographs seen illustrative of the 
work of the various scientific exploring expeditions of the U. S. 

The new Pension Bureau is located on G street n. w., be- 
tween Fourth and Fifth streets. 

Government Hospital for the Insane. 

On the high ground on the south side of the Anacostia is this 
institution. In the distance it looks like a large feudal castle. 
There is attached to it an estate of 419 acres, a portion of 
which is cultivated by the patients. Miss Dix, the well known 
philanthropist, took an active part in urging the establishment 
of this great Government benevolence. Nearly one thousand 
persons, attendants and patients, are accommodated within 
its walls. It is also known as the St. Elizabeth Hospital. The 
Institution was opened in 1855. It is 750 feet long. Cost of 
building, etc., .$988,846. :}5 ; support, etc., of insane paupers, 
as reported to 1875, ij; 1,532, 846.^5. 



L02 

An iron bridge across the Anacostia, neair the Navy Yard, 
affords access to the Insane Hospital. Its reported cost is 

$99,487.00. 

Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 

is situated on "Kendall Green," lying in a northeasterly direc- 
tion from the Capitol ; entrance, north end of 7th st. east, 
also the east terminus of M st. north. Amos Kendall, Postmas- 
ter-General in Gen. Jackson's Cabinet, donated, late in Hf e, some 
acres and a small building, first occupied by the institution, which 
was incorporated in 1857, and since mainly supported by Con- 
gress. In 1864 a collegiate department was created. It has 
since rapidly increased in efficiency. In 1870, the Board pur- 
chased an additional 82 acres of Kendall Green property, for 
$85,000, payable in four years. The property is valued at 
$350,000. 

Columbia Hospital for Women, and Lying-in Asvlum, 
cor. L and 25th n. w. 

A dispensary is open here every day. 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. 

Opposite the United States Treasury is a splendid building, 
originally erected for the Freedman's Bank. Its «pper stories 
are occupied by this department ; entrance at west door. The 
Court of Claims is accommodated in this building. 

The principal object of interest here is the gallery of portraits 
of the Attorneys-General of the United States. 

This Department was created June, 1870. The head is the 
United States Attorney-General; all Government prosecutions 
are conducted by it. Subordinate to it are the officers of the 
District and Circuit Courts of the United States ; the Reform 
School ; Metropolitan Police and jail of the District of Columbia, 
and the various law officers of the national Departments 




J)Lpartment of Ju 



uilding.) 




Agricultural Department. 



105 
The Court-house, (formerly the City Hall,) 

is situated opposite the northern terminus of 4^ st. , on Judiciary 
Square, which comprises about 20 acres. The courts of the 
District are held, excepting that of the Police Court, in the Court- 
House. 

The structure is of freestone, painted white. It was designed 
by George Hadfield, an Englishman, one of the architects of the 
Capitol. Only about one-half of the buildirig, as designed by 
him, has been erected. It was commenced in 1820 ; whole front- 
age, 2.")0 feet. 

In front of the building, on a marble column, is a statue of 
President Lincoln, by Lot Flannery, of Washington city, 
erected by contributions of citizens. (See Reservation No. 9.) 

The Police Court is at the n. e. corner of 6th and D sts. n. w., 

in the building once used for worship by the Unitarian Society. 

Police Headquarters is at the n. w. cor. oi 5th st. and La. avo. 

The Reform School 
is situated on Lincoln's Hill, (a fort of that name occupied the 
site during the war of the rebellion,) on the Washington and Balto, 
turnpike. It is for boys, and attached is a farm of 150 acres. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

Between the Smithsonian Institution and the Washington 
Monuroent grounds is situated the Agricultural Department, 
between 12th and 14th sts. s. w. It is of brick, with brown- 
stone trimmings; 170 feet long, Gl feet deep; designed by 
Adolph Clues, and has a Mansard roof; finished in 1HG8. It 
bears a resemblance to what the Palace of Versailles was when 
only a hunting chateau, before Louis XIV expended upon it the 
revenues of a kingdom. 




Smithsonian. 



1U8 

There are extensive structures built for experimental garden 
ing, known q& Plant-Houses^ designed by Mr. Saunders, "Super- 
intendent of Gardens," etc. The main building is 320 feet long 
and 30 feet wide, with a projecting centre wing 150 feet long. 

Besides the gardens, etc., there is here on Agricultural Museum 
of great interest. The buildings and grounds cost, to 187"), 
$r,ll,243.25. 

The Dej)artment was established May 15, 1862. Before occu- 
pying the present building, it had rooms in the basement of the 
Patent Office, and was, as a Bureau, under the supervision of the 
Secretary of the Interior. 

THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

is at the corner of North Capitol and H sts. ; length, 300 feet on 
H st. and 175 feet on North Capitol st.; it is 4 stories high, and 
cost (the building) $84,915.71. It is said to be at present the 
largest printing establishment in the world. 

In 1852, a change was made in the then contract system of 
public printing and binding, and the office created of Superin- 
tendent of Public Printing. 

In 18G0, Congress bought of Cornelius Wendell for $135,000 
his printing office, which became the nucleus of the present 
mammoth establishment. In 18G7, the office of "Superinten- 
dent," etc., was abolished, and the Senate authorized to elect a 
practical printer. This has, however, been again changed, and the 
" Superintendent," etc., is appointed by the President. 

Washington Asylum, etc. 
This institution is an asylum for the poor, and a workhouse 
for those convicted of minor crimes, except theft, in the police 
courts. It is on Hospital Square, or Reservation 13, being the 
extreme eastern portion of the city. The first building was put 
up in 1815 ; there are now accommodations for 400 persons. 



109 

North of it is the new District Jail, four stories high, 310 by 
193 feet, designed by A. B. Mullett. Cost, $343,556.77. Begun 
in 1872 ; made ready for occupation in 1875. 

The Army and Navy Magazines were formerly in near neigh- 
borhood, but have been removed to their new location south of 
Giesborongh's point on the Potomac. South of the jail is the 
Congressional Cemetery. 

This Cemetery is attached to Christ Church, Episcopal, (Wash- 
ington parish,) Navy- Yard. (See Churches.) 

The Cemetery now embraces 30 acres. It was laid out in 1807, 
with about 10 acres. It is called Congressional because there 
are sites allotted here for the interment of members of Congress 
who die in office, and even if not buried here, a monument is 
erected to the memory of such. There are rows of tombs, many 
of which are empty. It is not only beautiful as a cemetery, but 
is interesting on account of the many distinguished dead who 
lie here. Congress has made donations to this Cemetery of 
$28,670.59. 

Smithsonian Institution. 

The Smithsonian Institution is built of red-freestone, and has 
numerous towers, reminding one of the palace of the old Scotch 
kings, Holyrood. The extreme length of the building, from 
east to west, is 447 feet ; the breadth of the centre, including 
carriage-porch, is 1(50 feet. It was designed by James Kcnwick, 
Jr., of New York. The stylo is Norman, in use about the end 
of the 12th century; corner-stone laid 1847; completed 185(); 
cost $450,000. 

The grounds, extending from 7th to 12th streets, were laid out 
by Andrew Jackson Downing, a landscape gardener of great 
reputation, who died while prosecuting this work. There is a 
beautiful vase to his memory erected here. 

This Institution is the boquost of an English gentleman. 



110 

James Smithson, an illegitimate son of a Duke of Northumber- 
land. Mr. Smithson was born in London, and graduated, taking 
an horwarary degree, at Oxford in 1786. He was a skilful chemist, 
mineralogist, and geologist, and was the author of valuable 
treatises on these various subjects. The bequest was " to found 
at WasJdngton, under the name of the Smitlisonian Institution, 
an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 
among men.^' The original bequest was $51.5,169. In 1836 
Congress accepted it, and it was obtained through Hon. Richard 
Rush, of Pennsylvania, designated a commissioner for the pur- 
pose. The accumulated interest, etc. , was sufficient to pay for 
the erection of the building. 

The National Museum deposited here includes the collections 
of all the exploring expeditions of the United States, besides all 
other sorts of curiosities, and would require weeks to examine 
carefully. 

A low brick building, 300 feet square, erected in 1879, known 
as the "Annex to the Smithsonian Institution," is intended to 
contain the Centennial Exhibits of, and donations of Foreign 
governments to the United States., 

It is situated southeast of the main building and was designed 
by A. Cluss & Schultze. 

The amount appropriated for its erection was $250,000. It 
covers an area of 2^ acres. 

The Smithsonian Institution publishes and distributes original 
^orks on General and Special Science, and is engaged in exten- 
sive Meteorological Investigations. The Library, once centered 
here, has been removed to the Capitol into a hall of the Library 
of Congress. 



Ill 



Washington Monument. 

This is a white marble obelisk, situated on a bluff on the Po- 
tomac river, near the northwest terminus of Virginia avenue. 
It is the spot where Gen. Washington indicated his choice for 
the erection of the statue which the Continental Congress had 
voted in honor of his services. (See Reservation No. 3.) 

In 1835 the Washington Monument Association was formed. 
Chief-Justice Marshall was its first president. Its object was 
to erect a monument to the memory of our great first President. 
The accepted design was the idea of Robert Mills ; a shaft ris- 
ing from a rotunda to the height of 600 feet— designed to be 
the highest structure ever reared by man, excepting the Tower 
of Babel. 

The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1848. Ex-Prcsident John 
Quincy Adams was to have delivered the address, but, his 
death occurring a few months previous, Robert C. Winthrop 
of Massachusetts, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
was selected to perform that duty. The amount collected was 
$230,000. 

The funds were exhausted and work suspended before the 
late civil war culminated ; but Congress having made appro- 
priations for the purpose, work was recommenced, and the 
shaft completed at a height of 555 feet on Dec. G, 1884. The 
capstone is a cuniform keystone, its height from base to top 
being 5 feet 2^ inches. It is 4 feet 5^ inches high on the outer 
face, with a 7-inch shoulder to bind on each side, extending 
10^ inches below. It is 3 feet and a fraction square at the bot- 
tom, and 5 inches in diameter at the top where the aluminium 
tip fits on. Its weight is 3,300 pounds. 




The Washington Monument. 



113 

The alutniniutn apex of the monument is engraved with in 
scriptions, as follows: On one face, "Chief Engineer and 
Architect, Thomas Lincoln Casey, Colonel Corps of Engineers ; 
Assistants, George W. Davis, Fourteenth United States Infan- 
try ; Bernard R. Green, Civil Engineer ; Master Mechanic, P. 
H. McLaughlin." On another, "Corner-stone laid on bed of 
foundation July 4th, 1848. First stone at height of 152 feet 
laid August 7, 1880. Capstone set December 6, 1884." On a 
third, "Joint Commission at setting of capstone — Chester A. 
Arthur, W. W. Corcoran, (chairman,) M. E. Bell, Edward 
Clark, John Newton. Act of August 2, 1876." And on the 
fourth face, the words ''' Laus Deo — Praise to God. Dedicated 
February 21st, 1885. Cost to date, $1,130,000, of which amount 
Congress appropriated $900,000." 

The original design of the Washington National Monument 
embraced the idea of a grand circular colonnaded building, 
two hundred and fifty feet in diameter and one hundred feet 
high, from which is to spring an obelisk shaft seventy feet at 
the base and five hundred feet high. The obelisk to be con- 
structed first. 

In the lafmlariiim, i. e., a collection of ornamental blocks of 
marble, etc , presented by nations. States, societies of different 
kinds, etc., are 83 memorial stones, with various inscriptions 
and designs chiselled upon them, intended to be placed in the 
interior of the monument, arranged for inspection within a 
building on the premises. Besides, 40 memorial stones are 
already inserted within the structure. Visitors are admitted, 
and an examination of them will repay the traveller. 

Corcoran Gallery of Art. 

At the corner of 17th street and Penna. avenue, opposite the 
War Department, is the Corcoran ( } allery of Art. It is in the re- 
naissance style, 104/t. by 124^, ft., of brick, with trimmings of 
Belleville freestone." The building is the gift of Mr. \V. W. Cor- 
coran, a retired wealthy banker and philanthropist of Wash- 



114 

ington, to the United States. With it was also given his own 
private art collection, and an endowment fund of $900,000, the 
interest on which is to be expended to increase the value of the 
collection. Facilities for copying the works of the Gallery are 
cordially extended to artists and students on certain conditions. 
An admirable catalogue has been published of this collection, 
which of itself is a valuable compendium of art information, com- 
[liled by the Curator, Mr. Wm. Macleod. 

It is open daily, but on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridayg 
there is a charge of 25 cents entrance ; on Tuesdays, Thursdays, 
and Saturdays the admission is free. The gallery of sculpture 
and bronzes is exceedingly fine, and very valuable. 

Masonic Temple 
is at the corner of 9th and F sts. n. w., opposite the Patent 
Office. Comer-stone laid 18G8. Cost $200,000. Built of granite 
and Connecticut and Nova Scotia freestone. 

The Order was early planted in the Federal City. Prior to 
1816 two Lodges assembled in a building near the river. 

Odd-Fellows' Hall 
is on 7th st., between D and E sts. n. w. It was dedicated in 
1846; remodelled in 1873. The first Lodge of the Order was 
established in the District in 1827 ; the Grand Lodge followed in 
1828. 

Providence Hospital. 

This hospital was founded in 1862 by the Sisters of Charity. 
Government has appropriated, as stated in a recent report, 1876, 
principally towards the erection of this building, through the 
exertions of Thaddeus Stevens, $60,000 ; and there is still con- 
tinned an annual appropriation for 75 non-resident pauper pa- 
tients. Its accommodations for pay patients are excellent ; and 



115 

it has attached to it a library, readiDg-room, and chapel. It is 
situated at Ihe corner of T> and 2d sts. s. e. 

Armory. 

In 1855 $30,000 was appropriated for the erection of a build- 
ing for the storing and care of the ordnance, etc., of the United 
States, required for the use of volunteers and militia of the Dis- 
trict. The building erected for this purpose stands on the pub- 
lic reservation (the Mall) near 6th St., and is now used by the 
Fish Commission. 

Early in the breaking out of the war it was used as a hospi- 
tal, and gave name to one of the most extensive and useful of 
the army hospitals, clustered in several wooden buildings, near 
its site. 

Gonzaga College 

was founded a seminary in 1848 ; incorporated a university in 
1858 ; is conducted by fathers of the Society of Jesus. It is 
on I St., between North Capitol and First sts. n. w. 

Columbian University, 

formerly located on College Hill. In 1883 this seat of learn- 
ing occupied its new building, corner 15th and H streets n.w. 

It was founded by the Baptists ; was incorporated in 1821 ; 
commenced in 1822. 

In 1873 it became a University. The President of the United 
States and the Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court are honorary 
members of the Board of Trustees. 

The National Medical Collef/e, connected with the University, 
is on H St., between 13th and 14th sts. n. w. ; founded in 1824 
The building, in 1864, was presented by Mr. W. W. Corcoran. 



116 

Howard University 
occupies a commandiug situfttion on a hill near the northern ter- 
minus of the 7th st. horse-railroad route. It was incoq:)orated in 
1867, and named in compliment after Gen. Howard, then direc- 
tor of the Freedmen's Bureau. The admission, etc., of pupils is 
\dthout regard to sex or color. The value of property is about 
$600,000. 

Freedmen's Asylum. 

This is in the near neighborhood of Howard University ; and 
in the list of expenditures of Government to 1875 is stated as 
having cost for its support $207,716.90. 

Wayland Seminary. 
In 1865 this institution was founded for the purpose of edu- 
cating colored preachers and teachers. It is situated near Colum- 
bian University. The seminary is three stories high, of brick, 
with mansard roof and tower ; cost $35,000. It is one of seven 
schools supported in the South by the American Baptist Home 
Mission Society. 

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 

National Soldiers and Sailors Orphans' Home, G st., be- 
tween 17th and 18th sts. n. w.; incorporated in 1866; amount 
Appropriated by Government $77,381.25 ; under the charge of a 
board of lady managers. No applicants received under six years 
old, nor kept after 16 years. 

Louise Home, on Massachusetts avenue, between 15th and 
16th sts. n. w.; built in 1871. It provides an elegant home for 
reduced gentlewomen, and is the gift of the wealthy Washing- 
tonian, Mr. W. W. Corcoran, who has called it by the name of 
his wife and daughter, ladies now dead. It cost $200,000, and 




Louise Home. 






#-^ 

'-"^J 











Howa 



118 

has an endowment of $250,000. It accommodates 55 persons. 
The inmates are invited by the lady directresses. Open to vis- 
itors every week day, after 12 noon. 

Washington City Orphan Asylum, comer of 14th and S sts. 
n. w.; founded in 1815. Dolly Madison was first directres.s, and 
Mrs. Van Ness (Marcia Burns) second. Incoi-porated in 1 828. 
It is under the control of benevolent Protestant ladies. 

Children's Hospital is on W st , between 12th and 13th sts. 
n. w.; incorporated in 1871. Its object is to provide free sur- 
gical and medical treatment for the poor children of the District. 
It is under the patronage of the benevolent. A free dispensary 
is connected with it. Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, from 3 
to 5 P. M., are visiting days. Value of building, designed by 
Mr. Jno. C. Harkness, $23,622.22. Value of square, $24,500.00. 
Value of furniture and appliances, $2,000.00. Total, $50, 122. 22. 
The new building was first occupied October, 1878. 

St. John's Hospital, for children ; under the direction of the 
St. John Sisterhood of the Episcopal Church. The new house is 
on H. St. , between 19th and 20th sts. n. w. Received an appro- 
priation from Government of $25,000. 

St. Ann's Infant Asylum ; founded 1863 ; for children less 
than five years; under the management of the Sisters of Charity. 
A lying-in Jwspital is attached. Corner of K and 24th sts. n. w. 
Visiting day, Thursday, from 2 to 5 P. M. 

St Joseph's Male Orphan Asylum ; founded 1855 ; under 
the care of the Sisters of the Holy Cross; is on H st., between 
yth and 10th sts. n. w. 

St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum ; foimded 1831 ; un- 
der the care of the Sisters of Charity ; is on the s. w. comer of 
G and 10th sts. n. w. A branch, known as St. Rose's Orphan 
Home, is on G st., between 20th and 21st sts. n. w. This is for 
the more adult, and the girls are taught a trade. 



119 

The Visitation Academy, ou Conn, avenue, between L and 
M n. w., is under the charge of the Sisters of the Visitation, and 
is an emanation from the elder institution in Georgetown. 

Academy of the Holy Cross, Mass. ave., between 13th and 
14th streets u. w. Under the charge of Sisters of that Order. 

Epiphany Church Home, H st., bet. 13th and 14th sts. n. w. 

The Home for the Aged is at the corner of 3d and H sts. 
n. e. It is under the charge of the Little Sisters of the Poor. 
An appropriation ofj.t25,00() was given by Government. 

Women's Christian Association, 13th and K sts. n. w. 



HOTELS. 

Arlington, on Vermont avenue ; capacity, 325 guests. 

Arno, IGth st., between I and K sts. n. w. 

Belvedere, cor. Peuna. ave. and 3d st. 

Ch^mberlin's, s. e. corner 15th and I sts. n. w. 

Ebbitt, corner F and 14th sts. n. w.; capacity, 350 guests. 

Harris House, E st., (facing Penu. ave.,) between 13th and 
14th sts. n. w. Rooms without board. Capacity, 200 guests. 

St. James, cor. Penua. ave. and Gth st. n. w.; European plan. 

Metropolitan, on Penn. avenue, between 6th and 7th sts. u. w. 

National, on Penn. avenue, cor. of 0th st. n. w.; capacity, 500. 

Normandie, n. e. corner 15th and T sts. u. w. 

Riggs House, corner of 15th and G sts. u. w. 

Tremont, corner of 2d st. and lud. ave., near B. & 0. Depot. 

Welcker's, 15th st., bet. N. York ave. and H at. 

Willard's, on Penn. avenue and 14th st. n. w.; capacity, 500. 

Wormley's, on 15th and H sts. n. w.: capacity, 150. 
These are the most notable. There are other hotels of lower 
prices, suited to all classes of persons. 



120 
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 

Albaugh's Grand Opera House, corner E and 15th sts. n, w. 

National Theatre, on E St., between 13th and 14th sts. n. w. 
It virtually fronts on Pennsylvania avenue. 

Harris' Opera House, on 9th St. n. w., south of Pennsylvania 
avenue. 

Kernan's Washington Theatre, at the cor. of C and Uth sts 

Odd-Fellows' Hall, Navy-yard, Eighth st. s. e. 

Masonic Hall, corner F and 9th sts. n. w. 

Willard Hall, F St., between 14th and 15th sts. n. w. 

Franklin Hall, n. w. corner of C and 6th sts. n. w. 



PRINCIPAL MARKETS. 

Center Market; 410 feet front, between 7th and 9th sts., on 
tlie south side of Pennsylvania avenue n. w.; built, 1870. 

Eastern Market, on Capitol Hill, at the junction of 7th st. e. 
and North Carolina avenue ; built, 1873. 

Western Market, on K, between 20th and 21st sts. n. w. 

Riggs Market, P st., between 14th and 15th sts. n. w. 

Northern Liberty Market, on 5th St., between K and L sts. 
n. w. ; is of brick ; 324 feet long ; cost $140,000 ; built 1875. 



RAILROADS. 

For South, North, East, and West, Baltimore and Potomac. 
Depot corner B and 6th sts. n. w., near Pennsylvania avenue. 



122 

For East, North, and West, Baltimore and Ohio. Depot cor- 
uer of St. and New Jersey avenue, near the Capitol. 

HORSE-CAR ROUTES. 

Columbia Railway. From the Treasury, ISth st. and New 
York avenue, to H st. and Boundary n. e. It intersects the Me- 
tropolitan at 9 th st. and the 7th st. line at 7th st. 

Metropolitan Railway. From 17th st., south of Penn. ave., 
near the State Department, to Senate wing of Capitol. 

The Georgetown and East Capitol Street Branch of this 
route runs from Georgetown, near the Convent, to Lincoln 
square. 

The Ninth St. Branch, from northern terminus of 9th st. 
to the Arsenal gate. 

Silver Spring Branch, from northern terminus of 7th st, 
route to the road leading to Soldiers' Home and Rock Greet 
Church. 

Washington and Georgetown Railway, Main Branch. At 
the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and 1st st. n. w. passengers 
going to or coming from the Baltimore and Ohio depot are 
transferred without extra charge. 

Fourteenth St. Branch. From the Treasury, 15th st. and 
New York avenue, to the Boundary north. Exchange tickets 
given for Pennsylvania avenue line. 

Seventh St. Branch, From the Boundary north to the river 
front. Exchange tickets given for Pennsylvania avenue line. 

Capitol, North O st. and South Washington Railroad; or, 
"The Belt," so called from the circuitous route it traverses. 
It starts on Maryland avenue, at the foot of Capitol Hill west, 
south side of the Botanical Garden, and proceeds north to O st., 
then west to 11th st., then turns south to E st., again west to 



123 

14th St., then south to Ohio avenue, which it traverses s. e. to 
12th St., then south, crossing the Mall, to Virginia avenue, along 
which it travels to its intersection with Maryland avenue, then 
along that avenue to the place from which it started. 

The Anacostia and Potomac River Street Railroad com- 
mences at 6th St. Wharf and M st. s. w.; thence runs east along 
M St. to 11th st. s. e.; then south along 11th st., crossing Ana- 
costia Bridge into Uniontown ; terminating there. 

The tickets of the various street railroads interchange, thus con- 
ferring a great favor upon passengers. 

CHURCHES. 
Denominations alphahetically arranged. 
Baptist. 
FiBST Baptist, 13th st., between G and H sts. n. w. 
Second Chuech, corner of Virginia avenue and 4th st. s. e. 
E-Street Church, south side, between 6th and 7th sts. n. w. 
Calvary Church, corner of H and 8th sts. n. w. 
Fifth Baptist Church, D st., near 4 J st. s. w. 
North Baptist Church, 14th st., near R st. n. w. 
Kendall Mission Chapel, corner 13^ and D sts, s. w. 
Calvary Mission Chapel, corner of 5th and P sts. n. w. 
Metropolitan Baptist Chapel, (erected 1875,) s. w. corner of 
A and Gth sts. n. e. 

Gay-Street Baptist, cor. of Congress and Gay, Georgetown. 

Baptist Colored Churches. 
Second Baptist, 3d st., near I st, n, w. 
Third Baptist, Franklin, between P and Q sts. n. w. 
Fourth Baptist, E, st., between 12th and 13th sts. n. w. 
Fifth Baptist, Vermont avenue, between Q and R sts. n. w. 
Sixth Baptist, near comer of fith and G sts. s. w. 



124 

Nineteenth Street, corner of lOtli and I sts. n. w. 

Shiloh, L St., between 16th and 17th sts. n. w. 

Rehoboth, 1st St., near O st, s. w. 

Mt. Zion, F St., between 3d and 4^ sts. s. w. 

LiBEETY Church, E st., corner of 18th n. w. 

Abyssinian, Vermont avenue, corner of R st. n. w. 

L-Street Baptist, corner of 4th and L sts. n. w. 

Enon, corner of 6th st and South Carolina avenue s. e. 

Mt. Oliver Baptist Church, 6th st., between L and M n. e. 

First Baptist Church. Dunbarton and Monroe sts., Georget'n. 

, Christadelphian Synagogue. 
Chbistadelphian Synagogue, Circuit-Court Room, City Hall. 

Christian. 
Christian Church, Vermont avenue, between N and O sts. n. w. 

Congregational. 

First Congregational, Church, corner of 10th and G sts. n. w. 
Episcopal. 

St. John's Church, corner of 16th and H sts. n. w. 

Epiphany Church, G st., between 13th and 14th sts. n. w. 

Trinity Church, corner of 8d and C sts. n. w. 

Church of the Ascension, corner of Massachusetts avenue 
and 12th st. n. w. 

Christ Church, G st., between 6th and 7th s. e. 

Grace Church, D st., between 8th and 9th s. w. 

Church of the Incarnation, corner of 12th and N sts. n. w. 

St. Mark's Church, 3d st. , between A and B sts. s. e. 

St. Paul's Church, (Ritualistic,) 23d st. n. w., south of Penn- 
sylvania avenue Circle. 

Church of the Holy Communion, 22d st., nearE st. n. w. 



^ 125 

Church op the Holt Cross, corner 10th and P sts. n. w. 

St. Andrew's CnuRcn, 14th nnd Corcoran sts. n. w. 

St. James' Parish, services in the house, No. 819 H st. n. e. 

St. Paul's Church, (Rock Creek,) near Soldiers' Home. 

Emanuel Church, Washington st., Uniontown. 

Christ Church, cor. Congress and Beall sts., Georgetown. 

St. John's Church, 2d and Potomac sts. , Georgeto-^n. 

Grace Church, High, between Bridge and Water Georgetowij 

St. Alban's, High st., extended, Georgetown. 

Episcopal, (colored.) 

St. Mabt's Chapel, 23d st., between H and I sts. 

Episcopal, (reformed.) 

No settled place of worship. 

Friends' Meeting Houses. 

Meeting House, (Hicksite,) I st., between 18th and 19th sts 
a* w., north side. 

Meeting House, (Orthodox,) 13th st., between R and S sts. 
'.\. w. 

German Reformed Church. 

]fiEST Reformed Church, corner of Gth and N sts. n. w. Ger- 
man service in the morning ; English service in the evening, 

Hebrew Synagogues. 

CoNOBEGATioN Adas Isbael, (Orthodox,) corner of Gth and G 
sts. n. w. Services every Friday evening at sunset, and every 
Saturday at 8 A. 11. and 4 P. M. 

Wasbington Hi:brew Congregation, Hth st., between H and 
I sts. n. w. Services Friday (fvening nt 7 o'clock and Sabbath 
fSnturday) morning at J) o'clock. 



126 

m 

Lutheran. 

St. Paul's Chuboh, (English,) corner of 11th and H sts. n. w. 

Memorial Church, (English,) corner of N and 14th sts. n. w. 

German Evangelical Congregation or Trinity, Unaltered 
A-Ugsburg Confession, comer of 4th and E sts. n. w. 

German Evangelical Church, comer of 20th and G sts. n. w. 

German Evangelical, St. John's Church, 4^ st. s. w. 

Capitol-Hill Mission, 1st st., near C st. s. e. 

German Evangelical Association, 6th st., between L and 
M sts. n. w. 

Lutheran Church, comer of High and 4th sts., Georgetown. 

Methodist Episcopal. 

Metropolitan, corner of 4^ and C sts. n. w. 

Foundry Church, corner of 14th and G sts. n. w. 

Wesley Chapel, corner of 5th and F sts. n. w. 

MoKendree Church, Massachusetts avenue, between 9th and 
1 0th sts. n. w. 

Ryland Chapel, comer of 10th and D sts. s. w. 

Union Chapel, 20th st., near Pennsylvania avenue n. w. 

Waugh Chapel, corner of 3d and A sts. n. e. 

Hamline Church, comer of 9th and P sts. n. w. 

Grace Chapel, corner of 9th and S sts. n. w. 

Fourth-Street Church, 4th st., between South Carolina ave- 
nue and G st. s. e. 

Twelfth-Street Church, comer of 12th and E sts. s. e. 

Fletcher Chapel, comer of New York ave. and 4th st. n. ^ 

GoRsucH Chapel, corner of L and 4^ sts. s. w. 

Providence Chapel, corner of 2d and I sts. n. e. 

Mt. Zion Chapel, corner of loth and R sts. n. w. 

MoKendree Mission, H st., between 8th and 9th sts. n. e. 

Memorial M. E. Chapel, 1878, H and 11th sts. n. e. 

Uniontown, nearly opposite the Navy-yard. 



127 

DuNBABTON Stbeet, between Congress and High sts.. George- 
town. 

West Georgetown Chueoh, corner of Fayette and 7th sts.. 
Georgetown. 

Methodist Episcopal South. 

Mount Veenon Chueoh, corner 9th and K sts. n. w. 
Methodist Protestant. 

Methodist Peotestant Chueoh, on 9th st., between E and 1' 
sts. n. w. 

FiBST M. P. Church, Virginia avenue, near Navy-yard. 

M. P. Mission, corner of 8th st. and North CaroHna ave. s. e. 

Congress-Street Church, between Bridge and Gay sts., 
Georgetown. 

Mount Pleasant Church, corner of Fayette and High sts., 
Georgetown. 

Methodist Colored Churches. 

Wesley Zion, D st., between 2d and 3d sts. s. w. 
Union Wesley, 23d, near L st. n. w. 
John Wesley, Connecticut avenue, near L st. n. w. 
Galbraith Chapel, L st, between 4th and 5th sts. n, w. 
IsBAEL Bethel, corner of B and 1st sts. s. w. 
Union Bethel, M st, between 15th and IGth sts. n. w. 
St. Paul's Chapel, 8th st. , between D and E sts. s. w. 
Mt. Pisoah Chapel, 10th st., between Q and R. sts. n. w. 
Abbuby, corner of 11th and K sts. n. w. 
Ebenezer, coiner of D and 4th sts. h. e. 
Asbury Mission, corner Boundary and 9th sts. ii. w. 
Ebenezer A. M. E. Church, Beall st, between Montgomezj 
and Monroe sts., Georgetown. 

Mt. Zion M. E. Church, West st, Georgetown. 
A. M. E. Church, Hillsdale, D. C. 
A. M. E. Church, Good Hope, D. C. 



128 

New Jerusalem. 
Teiviple of the New Jerusalem Church, North Capitol Bt., 
between B and C sts. n. e. Seats free. 

Presbyterian. 

First Presbyterian Church, 4^ st., betvreen Louisiana avenue 
and C st, n. w. 

New York Avenue Church, New York avenue, uecween liJth 
and 14th sts. n. w. 

Fourth Church, 9th st., between G and H sts. n. w. 

Assembly's Church, corner of 5th and I sts. n. w. 

Sixth Church, 6th st., near Maryland avenue, s. w. 

Western Presbyterian Church, H st., between 19th and 20th 
Bts. n. w., near Pennsylvania avenue. 

Metropolitan Presbyterian Church, corner of 4th and B >ts 
B. e. 

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 7th st., between D nut? 
E fits. s. w. 

North Presbyterian, on N st., between 9th and 10th sts. n.w. 

Reformed Presbyterian, 1st st,, between N and sts. s. w. 

Central Presbyterian, corner of 3d and I sts. n. w. 

Eastern Presbyterian, 8tl: st., between F and G sts. n. e. 

Gurley Mission, Boundary, near 7th st. n. w. 

West-Street Presbyterian Church, between Congress and 
High sts., Georgetown. 

Presbyterian, (colored.) 
Fifteenth-Street Presbyterian Church, 15th st., between I 
and K sts. n. w. 

Roman Catholic, 

St. Patrick's Church, G st., between 9th and 10th sts. n. w. 
The oldest Roman Catholic Church in Washington. 



129 

St. Peter's Church, corner of 2d and C &ts. s. e. Built on 
ground donated by Daniel Carroll, of Duddington, one of the 
largest original proprietors of the Federal City. 

St. Matthew's Church, corner of 15th and H sts. n. w. 

St. Mary's Church, (German,) 5th St., near H st. n. w. 

St. Dominic's Church, corner of 6th and E sts. s. w. 

St. Aloysius Church, corner of N. Capitol and I sts. n. w. 

Church of the Immaculate Conception, corner of 8th 
and N sts. n. w. 

St. Stephen's Church, corner of Pennsylvania avenue and 
25th St. n. w. 

St. Joseph's Church, (German,) corner of 2d and C sts. 
n. e. 

Trinity Church, corner of 1st and Lingan sts., George- 
town. 

St. Teresa, Uuiontown. 

Roman Catholic, (colored.) 
St. Augustine's Church, 15th st., near L st. n. w. 

Unitarian. 
Alt. Souls' Church, corner of 14th and L sts. n. w. 

Universalist. 
Church of our Father, corner of 13th and L sts. n. w. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

From a recent report of the Commissioner of Education we 
extract the following information with regard to the Public 
Schools of the Federal City : , 



130 

The whole school population of Washington and Georgetown, 
white and colored, in 1880, was 43,558. The number of scholars 
enrolled in the public schools in 1884 was 30,388. Amount 
expended for public school purposes, 1883-'84, was $559, 697.04. 

The colored schools are distinct from the white. 

We will mention the locality and names of some of the prom- 
inent school-houses : 

Name of School. Locality. 

High School O st., bet. 6th and 7th n.w White. 

Franklin Corner 13th and K sts. n.w " 

Seaton I st., bet. 2d and 3d n.w " 

Jefferson Corner 6th and D sts. s.w " 

Abbot Cor. N. Y. ave. and 6th st. n.w. " 

Curtis 2d St., bt. High and Market, G'n. " 

Cranch Corner l2th and G sts. s.e " 

Wallach Pa. ave., bet. 7th and 8th sts. s e. " 

Wormley. Prospect st., Georgetown " 

Analostan G st., bet. 2lst and 22d n.w " 

Force Mass. av.,bt. 17th and 18th n.w. " 

Berret Corner 14th and Q sts. n.w ,. " 

Thompson 12th st., bet. K and Ln.w " 

Potomac ...12th St., bet. Md. ay. and E. s.w. " 

Webster Corner 10th and H sts. n.w " 

Henry P st, bet. 6th and 7th n.w " 

Amidon Corner 6th and F sts. s.w " 

Morse Rst., bet. N. J. ave. and 5th n.w. " 

Greenleaf 4^st., bet. M and N s.w " 

Tmning 3d st. , bet. N and O n. w " 

Gales Cor. 1st st. and Mass. ave. n.w.. " 

Brent Corner 3d and D sts. s.e " 

McCormick 3d st., bet. M and N s.e " 

Peabody Corner 5th and C sts. n.e " 

Anacostia 9th st., bet. K and Va. ave. s.e.. " 

Sumner Corner 17th and M sts. n.w Colored. 

Miner 17th st., bet. P and Qn.w ** 

Stevens 21st st., bet. K and L n.w " 



131 

Name of School. Locality. 

John F. Cook Ost.,bet. 4th and 5th n.w Colored. 

IJandall 1st and I sts. n.w 

Lincoln Corner 2d and C sts. s.e 

Chamberlain East st. n.w 

Garnet Corner lOth and U sts. n.w 

Anthony Bowen Corner 9tli and E sts. s.w 

Banneker 3d st., bet. K and L n.w 

Lovejoy Corner 12th and D sts. n.e 



WATER-WORKS. 

The water supplying the city of Washington is brought from 
above the Great Falls of the Potomac, 18|- miles from the Navy 
Yard. The Aqueduct is a succession of wonderful instances of 
the triumph of the civil engineer. It is a cylindrical conduit of 
9 feet internal diameter, and conveys the water from the Groat 
Falls to a Distributing Reservoir, ^h miles from the Capitol. The 
daily supply is 30 millions of gallons ; daily consumption 23 mil- 
lions, and full capacity of the aqueduct 80 millions of gallons. 

The first ground was broken on the Washington aqueduct by 
President Pierce, Nov. 8, 1853. It has cost $3,500,000. 

Cabin-John Bridge 
is one of the distinguishing features of this great enterprise. 
The bridge is 20 feet wide and 420 feet long ; a single arch oi 
220 ft. spans the chasm. It cost $237,000. Capt., now General 
Montgomery C. Meigs, of the U. S. Corps of Engineers, was the 
constructor of this bridge and of the aqueduct. 

"The length of pipe line is 18 miles; 12 tunnels, the longest 
1,438 feet; total tunnelhng, G,G53 feet, and 6 bridges." 

A stand-pipe of iron GO feet high was erected in 1877, at IGtb 
and Boundary sts. n. w. The ccst was $37,000. 



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133 
FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. 

The Little Falls of the Potomac are very beautiful, and are 
about 4 miles above Washingtou, being a series of cascades in 
all of 37 feet. It is here the Chain Bridge, as it is called, 
crosses the river. A curious fact is that all the bridges which 
have crossed the Potomac at this point have been called chain 
bridges, when, in fact, but one was of that construction. The 
bridge erected here before 1811 was a chain suspension bridge, 
and its various successors Cof which there have been several) 
have, in turn, been so called. The present one is a Howe-truss 
iron bridge, /reg, and cost $100,000. 

The Great Falls, as already stated, are some 10 miles above 
the Little Falls, and are wonderfully grand. The rocky 
channel here is narrowed to 100 yds., and in a series of cascades 
the river descends 80 feet in the course of a mile and a half. The 
Virginia shore towers 70 feet of perpendicular rock above the 
bed of the river. 

ANALOSTAN ISLAND 
is situated opposite Georgetown, and contains about 70 acres ; it 
is connected with the Virginia shore by a causeway. It was 
formerly the residence of Gen. John Mason, in the war of 1812 
commissary-general. It was once under admirable cultivation, 
and the earliest known Guide-Book of Washingtou, by Warden, 
gives a glowing account of its fertility and the elegant hospitality 
of its owner. It is now a place of holiday resort for picnics, etc. 
The mansion still stands, dilapidated and shorn of its former 
splendor. The Confederate commissioner to Europe, James M. 
Mason, arrested by Admiral Wilkes, was born on this island. 



134 
CEMETERIES. 

We have in other places meutioned the Arlington, Congres- 
sional, and Oak Hill Cemeteries, and the National Military Cem- 
etery at the Soldiers' Home. There are besides these other 
cemeteries of interest of considerable extent and beauty lying 
aronud the city of Washington. 

The oldest of these is Rock-Creek Church Cemetery, near 
the Soldiers' Home. Rock-Creek Church was first erected in 
1719, rebuilt in 1775, and remodelled in 1868. The main walls 
are those built in 1719. A monument here bears the date of 
1775. About one-half of the glebe belonging to this old parish 
church has of late yeai's been added to the cemetery. The ven- 
erable Peter Force, so long conspicuous in the Federal City, is 
interred here. 

Glenwood Cemetery lies about a mile and a half north of the 
Capitol. It embraces 90 acres, and was incorporated in 1854. 
Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General in the time of Jackson and 
Van Buren, is buried here. 

Near the entrance to Glenwood are Prospect Hill Cemetery, 
17 acres; and St. Mary's Burying Ground, 3 acres. 

Mount Olivet Cemetery, comprising 70 acres, is on the 
Columbia turnpike, ^ mile north of the east terminus of the 
Columbia Horse Railway ; incorporated in 18G2. Many Roman 
Catholics of eminence are buried here. 

Graceland Cemetery, about 40 acres, is situated at the east 
terminus of the Columbia Horse Railway ; opened 1872. 

Two of the oldest cemeteries, the Eastern and Western, have 
been displaced by recent improvements, and the many burying- 
places immediately surrounding the churches have had for the 
most part the dead removed from them. 



185 

GEORGETOWN 

is separated from Washington by Rock creek, and lies northwest 
of the citj'. Horse rail-cars enter Georgetown by both the Penn. 
ave. and P st. routes. It was a town of some importance at the 
time the Federal City was located. Population in 1860, r2,r)7S. 

Georgetown Heights presents admirable building sites, and 
is occupied by beautiful residences, many of them of a palatial 
character. 

Oak- Hill Cemetery (originally 10 acres) is situated on the 
Heights, and for beauty of situation, exquisite taste in adorn- 
ment, and general management, challenges comparison with any 
cemetery in the world. It has been gradually enlarged, and was 
originally the gift of Mr. W. W. Corcoran. It now embraces 30 
acres. 

Secretary Stanton, Chief -Justice Chase, and many other dis- 
tinguished dead, are buried here. 

Georgetown High-service Reservoir, with a capacity of 
1,000,000 gallons, is an object of interest. It is at the head of 
Market st.; the surface water is 215 feet above tide, and 70 feet 
above the Distributing Reservoir. 

The Convent of the Visitation, founded in 1799, is an insti- 
tution of note. In the Convent vault a daughter of Gen. Scott 
is buried. She was a religieuse of the order. The Academy 
onder the care of the Sisters of the Visitation was founded at 
the same time. In 1873 an addition was made to the establisli- 
ment. The Academy grounds include 30 acres. 

Georgetown College, founded in 1789, raised to an university 
in 1815, is probably the oldest Roman Catholic college in the 
country. It is under the care of the Fathers of the Society of 
Jesus. The library contains many rare works and some valuable 



136 



manuscripts ; and in the Museum are coins and medals, with in- 
teresting relics of Commodore Decatur. 

A new building, forming a frontage to the original main build- 
ing, and which of itself would constitute one of the finest col- 
legiate edifices in America, designed by Smithraeyer and finished 
in 1879, has greatly increased its educational capacity. 

The Linthicum Institute and the Peabody Library are ac- 
commodated in the Public-School building on 2d and Potomac 
sts.; three stories, basement, and mansard, designed by Adolf 
Cluss, and cost $70,000 ; built 1875. 

Edward Linthicum, a retired hardware merchant, left by will 
$50,000 for the education of poor white boys. George Peabody, 
the world-renowned millionaire philanthropist, (and once a resi- 
dent of Georgetown,) funded $22,000 to institute the Peabody 
Library. 

A Home for Aged Women is also a thoughtful and beautiful 
charity of this town. 




Cabin J( hii Bridge, (p 131 ) 



137 

ALEXANDRIA. 

Alexandi-ia is G miles distant from Washington. Boats ply 
every hour during daytime between the two cities, and there is 
also hourly railroad communication. The city was founded in 
1748, then called Bellhaven, the beautiful harbor. Population 
in 1870, 18,570. 

Christ Church is an Episcopal church in Alexandria, over a 
hundred years old, (1778,) which General Washington used to 
attend. His pew is pointed out to strangers. 

A National Cemetery is near Alexandria, containing the 
graves of 4,000 soldiers. 

MOUNT VERNON, 
the home and tomb of Washington, is about sixteen miles down 
the Potomac from the Federal city. A boat starts daily, except- 
ing on Sunday, from 7th st. wharf, at 10 A. M., for Mount Ver- 
non; returning, it reaches Washington at 8.30 P. M., thus allow- 
ing excursionists ample time to explore the house and grounds. 
The scenery between Washington and Mount Vernon is not 
only beautiful, but replete with interesting national associations. 
A fine view is obtained of Arlington House, on thf. Virginia 
shore. Opposite it is the Washington Monument, 

Then the receding city passes away like a 
panoramic view, succeeded by the Arsenal and grounds, the In- 
sane Asylum, and the Navy Yard, while, grandly crowning all, 
is the Capitol, with its graceful dome. 

Alexandria is soon reached. [See Alexandria.] 
Fort Foot, an important earthwork during the late war, is 
m^xt approached Again the boat stops a moment at old Fort 
Washington. Both forts are on the Maryland shore. The last 
was built in part by Major L'Eufant. Opposite this fort, on 
liigb ground, is Mount Vernon House. 



181) 

The boat lands at a little wharf reaching far out in the river, 
belonging to the estate. A walk from this wharf leads to the 
Tomb. 

The front of the vault is open, defended by an open iron gate- 
way, through which the sarcophagus containing the remains of 
Washington can be plainly seen. There is also another sarco- 
phagus, containing the remains of Martha, the consort of Wash- 
ington. A number of family graves surround the tomb. 

The mansion fi-onts the river. The centre was built by Law- 
rence Washington, half-brother of the President, from whom he 
inherited the estate. The more modern portions were added by 
the General. 

The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association own the mansion 
and contiguous grounds. Their endeavor is to restore them, as 
nearly as possible, to the condition they were in during the life 
of their great owner. 

Under their efficient management many of the rooms have 
been refurnished in the style of a century ago ; and it will not 
be long before the whole interior will be returned to its former 
antique condition. 

The lady vice-regent of a particular State takes under her 
patronage a single room to furnish, and gives to it the name of 
the State she represents. In this way the many rooms of this 
large country-house have been divided off among the States, and 
a laudable spirit of rivalry induced which will rapidly facilitate 
the carrying out of the desired object. The house fronts east 
and west. In the hall is hung the key of the Bastilc, which was 
presented by Lafayette to Washiugton, and the legend is that 
Washington himself placed it in its present position. Now of 
the rooms : 

The small east parlor belongs to Ohio ; while the west parlor 
is appropriated to the State of Illinois. 



140 

The grand state dining-room, constituting the north extension, 
is claimed by the imperial State of New York. Here is Peale's 
celebrated picture of "Washington before Yorkt3wn," which 
for many years hung over the Senate eastern staircase in the U. 
. Capitol. In this room also is the wonderfully beautiful man- 
tel-piece presented to Washington by Mr. Samuel Vaughan, an 
Englishman. 

The family dining-room is a general reception-room, while 
the room east of it is used as the council-room of the lady 
regents. The library is south of this room. 

In the second story, the first room reached on the left, known 
as Lafayette's room, belongs to New Jersey. Next door to it is 
the Pennsylvania room ; while the small apartment occupying 
the east front of the hall is appropriated by the banner State of 
Delaware. Maryland has placed her escutcheon over the door of 
the next apartment south ; while the new State of West Virginia 
claims the occupancy of the adjoining room. 

This last room is in close proximity to the room still south 
of it, in which the great chieftain died. It seems a sacred spot, 
a veritable holy place ; and most fittingly Virginia has in charge 
the august apartment. 

Over this room, in an attic chamber, Mrs. Washington died. It 
has been given to the State of Wisconsin. 

Five small rooms with dormer windows are on the thii-d floor. 
One is claimed by Connecticut and another by the District of 
Columbia ; the others are, as yet, unappropriated. 



141 

ARLINGTON. 

Arlington House is situated on Arlington Heights, in Virginia, 
on the south side of the Potomac, in plain view of the Capitol. 
The late war and incidents connected with it have made this a 
place of historic interest. Over fifteen thousand of the Union 
dead lie interred around the former beautiful home of the great 
grand-daughter of Martha Washington, who became the wife of 
the Confederate chieftain, Gen. Kobert E. Lee. The estate em- 
braced about eleven hundred acres, two hundred of which have 
been set apart as a National Cemetery. 

A very prevalent mistake, reiterated by irresponsible newspa- 
per correspondents, and copied into several of the Washington 
Guide-books, it is our duty to correct. It is very positively as- 
serted that in 1863 this estate was "sold under the confiscation 
act, and in 1864 was taken possession of by the National Govern- 
ment. " The facts are that the Arlington property was sold at a tojx 
sale, January 11,1 804, and was never confiscated. It was never the 
property of General Lee, and only a life interest in the propeuty 
was devised to Mrs. Lee, by her father, George Washington Parke 
Custis. The value of the estate, as recorded in the land book of 
the State, was $34,100. The amount which it was sold for at 
the tax sale was $26,800. Arlington House was built by Mr. 
George Washington Parke Custis. It is imposing in appearance, 
and has a frontage of 140 feet. The portico is 60 feet long and 
26 feet deep, and is ornamented with eight Doric columns, built 
of brick, plastered. It was long regarded as one of the palatial 
homes of the South. The situation of the mansion is tine, and 
the view from the portico extensive, and for beauty can scarcely 
be excelled. 

The cemetery lying west of the house is devoted to white and 
that lying north to colored dead soldiers. South of the house is 
the * ' Unknown Tomb," in which are placed the remains of 2, 111 




Washington's 1 omb at Mount Vernon 



143 



unknown soldiers gathered from the battle-fields of Bull Kun and 
the route to the llappahauuock. Near this tomb is an amphi- 
theatre, erected in 1873, designed for use on Decoration Day, ca- 
pable of accommodating 5,000 persons. 

In regard to this estate, it has also been very currently reported 
that it was bequeathed by Gen. Washington to Mr. Custis, his 
adopted son. The truth is Mr. Custis inherited it from his 
father, John Parke Custis, and Gen. Washington never owned it. 
The founder of the American family of Custis was an emigrant 
inn-keeper, formerly of llotterdam, Holland, who, about 1668, 
married the daughter of Edmund Scarburgh, prominent in early 
Colonial times as surveyor-general of the State and a rejDresenta- 
tive of Accomac county, Va. The marriage with this lady gave 
him immense landed possessions. 




Arlington House. 



144 

Fort Myer 
is situated a short distance northwest from Arlington House. 
It is the only one of the many forts built near Washington dur- 
ing the late war that has not been dismantled. It is now occu- 
l^ied as a cavalry station. 

BLADENSBURG. 

This old town, founded in 1750, is in Prince George's county, 
Md., and is about six miles n.e. of Washington; it is situated 
on the Anacostia or Eastern Branch of the Potomac, which was 
in former times navigable to this point, and was the great to- 
bacco centre of the surrounding country. 

It is famous for having been, in ISl-t, the site of the battle of 
Bladensburg, August 24, in which we were beaten by the British, 
who pursued the retreating Americans to Washington. The 
rapidity with which this retreat was effected gained for the un- 
fortunates the facetious title of The Bladensburg Kaceks. 

Near this village, in a secluded spot, was the famous duelling- 
ground where Commodore Decatur fell in 1820. Numerous 
other duels have been fought here, one of the most noted being 
that in which Graves and Cilley were engaged. 

Bladensburg has also been celebrated for a chalybeate spring, 
claimed to possess medicinal properties of great value. 

Proposed Lincoln Monument. 
It has been proj)osed to erect a monument of great elegance 
and superior workmanship in front of the Capitol to commemo- 
rate the history of the Martyr President. An engraving in this 
volume represents the model, by the artist, Clarke Mills, pre- 
sented to the committee in charge of the object. Whether it 
will eventually be placed there remains with the American peo- 
ple to determine. God speed the right I 






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